Borussia Dortmund head coach Nuri Sahin has expressed concern that a players’ strike could be imminent due to the increasing demands on players this season, Soccernet.football reports.
In addition to their Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal commitments, Dortmund, like several other clubs, are participating in the expanded Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Earlier this week, Manchester City midfielder Rodri suggested that players may be on the verge of striking because of the growing number of club and international obligations.
As per beIN Sports, Sahin agrees that such a strike could be near. “When players are already talking about strikes, you know it’s [close to happening],” he told reporters during his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Stuttgart.
“Coaches like Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola have also been complaining about it for years. But nothing has changed. If the organizations or people don’t worry about it, then we have to worry about it.”
Sahin’s Dortmund are unbeaten so far this season, with two wins and a draw from their first three Bundesliga matches. They also recently kicked off their Champions League campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Club Brugge.
Dortmund will return to Bundesliga action on Sunday, with a trip to Stuttgart’s MHPArena on the horizon. BVB lost all of their three meetings against Die Schwaben last season and they will be looking to put things right come Sunday.
“We’re going to Stuttgart with the goal of winning. That’s how we’ll be judged, and we want to show a different side to ourselves compared to last season,” Sahin emphasized.