Jadon Sancho: a completely new start

An old acquaintance is back with us: Jadon Sancho. At the beginning of 2024, the English winger started his second era at Borussia Dortmund – with a new mindset, new goals and vital impetus for the team's attack. A temporary return.

Last July, he got a taste of what it might feel like to come back home. Under the Las Vegas sun, which mercilessly blazed down on the Allegiant Stadium as BVB took on Manchester United in a friendly, all eyes were on one man: Jadon Sancho. At that time, no one could have guessed what would happen six months later.   

Manchester United have sent the Englishman to Dortmund on loan for six months. It did not come soon enough for the trip to the training camp in Marbella, but three days before the Bundesliga restart after the winter break, Sancho was on the training ground with his old, new colleagues in Brackel for the first time, and he made such a good impression that he was allowed to take part in the trip to Darmstadt. After almost an hour as a substitute, coming on to replace his fellow London-born baller Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, he took to the pitch at the Böllenfalltor, and the Dortmund fans greeted him with a standing ovation. Sancho promptly thanked his favourite teammate Marco Reus with an assist which saw Reus make it 2-0 to the Black & Yellows. Two weeks later, he was in the starting eleven for the first home game of the new year. It was Jadon's first appearance in front of the Südtribüne in two and a half years – and it was as if he had never been away. 

Welcome back, Jadon! To begin with, a few words about Manchester United. Not everything went as badly as it is often made out from the outside. For example, how did you like playing and training with Cristiano Ronaldo? 

That was very impressive. Cristiano has always been one of my great role models. He's a great professional. I love his mentality. Everyone at Manchester United knows that if they want to make it to the top, they need to work and train like Cristiano. Every day and every night, because rest is also part of it. Playing and training with him was a dream come true for me. I am very grateful for everything that I was able to learn from him in our time together. 

What prompted you to return to BVB?

More than anything else, it was Edin! I had an excellent relationship with him in the months before I went to Manchester. I owe him a lot – if not everything! I have always got on very well with Sebastian Kehl, too, and I know most of the current team very well. It was like going back home. 

Then there was something with Marco Reus. Last summer, in that friendly under the Las Vegas sun...

Oh yeah! I love Marco and the way he plays football. It was no coincidence that my first assist was for him after my return, because I really feel very connected to him. There is a clip from the game in Las Vegas, where he told me to go come to Dortmund. Well, here I am! 

Much to the delight of the Dortmund fans. 

I missed the fans a lot! I always had it in the back of my mind that if it wasn't going well somewhere, I'd go back to BVB! I know everyone, and everyone knows me. BVB will always be in my heart. It's a great feeling to know that everyone is behind me. 

It is said that you immediately took over as the DJ in the dressing room.

That's right! But only because the others asked me to do it. Not just one player – they all did. They like my music, and they know that I really pump up the energy before the game.  

What do you want to achieve in your second stint at Dortmund?



For me personally? To enjoy the game, to play football with a smile. Please don't get me wrong – I want to and will work hard here. But when you enjoy the game, everything works better. And as far as the team is concerned, I want to help BVB get back where they belong – right at the top, definitely in a Champions League spot. I want to win as many games as possible, score goals and get assists. And I'm eager to show the young players the right way of doing things. Just as others showed me the way when I was much younger. If I can manage that, I will be more than happy. 

Do you remember your first game in front of the Yellow Wall?

Of course! In October 2017 against Eintracht Frankfurt – it was my first Bundesliga match ever. I came on for "Mili" (Maximilian Philipp) and was incredibly nervous. I had only just turned 17!

And your first goal? 

Six months later against Bayer Leverkusen. Christian Pulisic teed me up. When I think back to that moment, I still get goosebumps today. My first goal as a professional, and to do it in front of the Südtribüne – amazing! 

Your first goal in the Champions League? 

In the 4-0 win against Atletico Madrid, just before the final whistle. Achraf Hakimi passed me the ball so perfectly that I only had to prod it into the empty net. 

Your biggest success with BVB was the cup win in May 2021, a few weeks before you went to Manchester. In the 4-1 final against Leipzig, you scored two goals and set up one of the other two by Erling Haaland. 

What a great day! I went to bed early the night before that game because I was so excited. The nerves quickly settled down in the game, after five minutes and my first goal. Then I knew: we're going to do it! 

This season, BVB have already been knocked out of the cup, and things have not gone so great in the Bundesliga in the first half of the season either? What can you still achieve? 

We will definitely qualify for the Champions League. Fifth place after the first half of the season was a snapshot and nothing more! I'll say this: for BVB, top three should be the bare minimum. 

What can the fans expect from you? 

A completely new start. Even if that sounds strange, because as a player I have not changed and therefore do not have to reinvent myself. I still have the qualities I had in my first stint here. The most important thing for me is to revive the connection with my teammates. I need to know how they work, they need to know how I work. 

Author: Sven Goldmann Photos: Alexandre Simoes

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