“It’s crazy what happens at Schalke – both positive and negative.”

It’s not until August that the ball will roll again in Germany’s top three professional soccer leagues. Bernard Dietz feels wistful when he thinks about the Bundesliga.

He played 487 times for MSV Duisburg, made a total of 495 Bundesliga appearances (for Duisburg and Schalke, editor’s note) and led Germany to the European Championship title in 1980 as captain. We are talking about Bernard Dietz.

The popular “Ennatz” is a child of the Ruhr soccer region. He suffers with the local clubs. Looking ahead to the 2025/2026 Bundesliga season, the 77-year-old, who is currently enjoying a short vacation with his wife in the Eifel region, is pensive—and also sad.

“You have to think about it: Borussia Dortmund is the only club from the Ruhr region in the Bundesliga! It breaks my heart. What kind of times are these? The heart of German soccer always beat in the Ruhr region. The other Ruhr clubs simply have to ask themselves some tough questions. Like every year, I believe Dortmund will play a role in the championship race. Let’s see what they can achieve in the coming season. I’m excited,” says Dietz.

He adds: “But if Dortmund don’t win the championship and Schalke and Bochum are promoted, then I’d be a little happier.”

Schalke have played twice in the Bundesliga and three times in the 2. Bundesliga in the last five years. Now they are entering their sixth season in a row in the German second division.