Too soft, too negative, too brooding?
Lucien Favre was said a lot when Borussia Dortmund subscribed to second place behind FC Bayern.
The development since his release shows that the problems are deeper.
Saint-Barthélemy in the canton of Vaud.
A village of 800 people in western Switzerland.
You won't find any supermarkets or restaurants there, but the tranquil town north of Lausanne has produced two famous athletes: the world-class tennis player Stan Wawrinka - and the football coach Lucien Favre.
The former BVB coach has had plenty of time to recharge his batteries in his place of power since mid-December.
He likes to relax with red wine and music - and it should certainly be beneficial for his peace of mind to take a look at his ex-club.
What was not said of Favre: He was too soft, too negative, too brooding.
In Dortmund, the Swiss tactician was no longer trusted to keep BVB in the title race.
His successor was his assistant coach, who is now starting the same mentality debate that Favre had faithfully accompanied like a Bernese mountain dog.
"Quality is always the result of talent plus mentality", Edin Terzic lectured after the 1: 2 in Leverkusen and concluded: "We relied too much on our talent." The talent of this generation of Dortmund players is undoubtedly exceptional.
At least as remarkable, however, are the results since the alleged brake block Favre was released.
Everything included: clear victories (2), just such defeats (3) and also the inexplicable BVB home failures (1: 1 against Mainz).
In short: Dortmund has not made any progress since the Favre-Aus, on the contrary.
But before reflexively punishing the next non-Klopp (previously Bosz, Tuchel, among others), the black and yellow should ask themselves what they actually want to be: A collection station for international talent for later resale?
Or Bayern hunters with serious title intentions?
Wanting both seems to create paralyzing pressure at the Dortmund Stock Exchange Club.
BVB boss Aki Watzke analyzed correctly: “We have recently struggled to play lightly, to develop ideas, to be creative.
As if everything was buried under powdery mildew. "
The unpleasant interim result of this Dortmund powdery mildew is seventh in the table.
Faster than expected, the young Terzic is dealing with existential sporting goals such as the international starting position.
The only positive on the negative: The title is now finally ticked off, but the minimum goal of the Champions League is still within reach.
On the other hand: finishing second, third or fourth - Favre was able to do that reliably.