"In terms of charisma, we are definitely still the number two in Germany. Borussia Dortmund exudes charisma through its 10 million fans and impressive stadium," said BVB bos Hans-Joachim Watzke in an interview with Sky Sports News Germany.

Despite the poor season last year where Dortmund flirted with the relegation spots around Christmas before recovering to sneak into a Europa League spot, Watzke still believes the club is the second best in the country.

"Ideally, Dortmund should be German football's second torchbearer. It's not only about sporting success, but also charisma," added Watzke. It certainly seems that much is true for Dortmund, particularly in light of recent comments from the club's new Head Coach Thomas Tuchel:

Wolfsburg, who beat Dortmund in the German Cup final and finished second in the league, is on a level playing field according to Watzke. "We have a few things to counter Wolfsburg, in a fair and sporting way. But they are definitely not a superior force like Bayern Munich. I'm sure those in the Volkswagen circles don't want it to be that way either," said Watzke.

Those comments contradict what Watzke was quoted as saying earlier in the month. In the Sunday edition of German newspaper BILD, Watzke said: "There is only one team in Germany at the moment that is chasing Bayern, that's Wolfsburg. They have other options."

Dortmund has returned from their preseason tour of Japan, Malaysia and Singapore, while Bayern Munich is still in China.

jh/asz (SID, dpa)