I mean even 10 years ago Bayern was the dominating force in Germany and one of the richest clubs in the world. How does that compare to Dortmund? And I assume "Hoeneß digging his feet in" is code for Ribery killing Real's pursuit of him by screwing an underage prostitute? How's that feet digging going with Alaba and Thiago? Why doesn't Bayern just sign new contracts with them?
Retaining a player isn't a question of wanting to, it's mostly a question of money, even the great and wise Hoeneß himself said that, though he seems to have forgotten about it since. What reason does someone like Sancho or Haaland have to stay long term at Dortmund at the expense of missing out on better offers? It's not their home, it's not their childhood dream. The guys who stay are players like Bürki, who know that they won't be valued as much elsewhere. But funnily enough keeping this kind of player isn't right either, every summer I read Dortmund has to upgrade on him.
Atletico have their special thing with Simeone, I think that can change a lot and players like Partey, Koke and Saul are academy graduates anyway, that's a bit different from some wonderkid that gets bought from abroad, isn't it? Though I would say that procuding domestic first team players who hopefully have a special relationship with the club is indeed a big defecit at the club and something they should be able to improve upon regardless of financial disadvantages.
Thiago is 29, Alaba is 28yrs, I believe Alaba will stay and Thiagos best years are likely already with Bayern, He has a shady injury record and most likely will be another Schweinsteiger and Hargreaves with his new clubs. The digging in happened with Lewandoski when Madrid came hard for him. Like Ribery, Bayern bumped his salary up and he stayed
Pulisic came from Dortmund academy and the moment he started playing well, he was already linked to other clubs. Like this talent is too much for a Dortmund even from American commentators
Retaining a player has a lot to do with the clubs' ambition, Haaland is building a connection with Sancho and Hakimi, he lost both of them in a season, next season probably losing the next partner who plays well, He also is probably counting down to when he leaves
For example, buying Bellingham, What was the reason for spending 25M on a 16/17yr old? Watzke and most fans know that in a few seasons if Bellingham plays well, he would be traded to the next big EPL club that comes for him. Atletico could have sold Saul or Oblak to the first big bid that came. Tottenham have held on to Kane for over 5 seasons now.
Why not go for a player like Kai Harvetz who will make an immediate impact and be ready to deliver.
All the goodwill and reputation built in the Klopp years has basically been thrown away and now back to being a feeder club for anyone