Michael Zorc. Born in Dortmund. Played for a different club in Dortmund in his youth, but then joined BVB when he was 16. 17 years in the senior side, 463 games, 131 goals as a midfielder. 9 years as captain. CL winner, two-time Bundesliga winner, DFB Pokal winner, Club World Cup winner, three-time German Supercup winner.

AND THEN he becomes Sporting Director of the club four years after retiring as a player. Leads the team back out after the near bankruptcy at the beginning of his tenure (not his fault) and back to (inter)national glory. Two more Bundesliga titles, three more Pokals, three more Supercups and a CL final. Retires in 2022 after 37 years at the club.

Maybe that’s why the process tends to fail? Because the communication is chaotic? And maybe that’s why the communication with fans is so shit and trust has evaporated? Because these people apparently think we are too stupid to keep 5 voices square in our heads.

And don’t get me started on the arrogance of thinking football referees are special little snowflakes that need to be saved from the wrath of 7 billion fans (again, apparently we’re all savage morons), while those rugby lads are basically just talking to 10 people who don’t actually care about the game. Other sports also put a magnifying glass on the referees and people care a lot about the outcomes.