BVB have garnered a strong reputation for youth development in recent years, with Gotze, who made is debut for Dortmund aged 17, just one of a host of supremely gifted starlets to benefit from the coaching on offer at Hohenbuschei.
“For me, playing through all the youth teams at Borussia Dortmund was a really good experience because I was able to play against talented opponents at a relatively early age,” Gotze said.
“I started learning whilst I was young and at a great playing level. It was a very positive time for me.”
Key to Gotze’s development was Jurgen Klopp. The affable Liverpool boss enjoyed great success during his time at the Westfalenstadion and afforded Gotze a role in which he could flourish as Dortmund strode to league and cup glory.
The immense faith shown by Klopp is not lost on Gotze: “I’m still in touch with Jurgen. Of course, he taught me everything about professional football.
“At that time, I was just 17 and coming up from the youth team. He introduced me to everything. He let me play.”
