Alexander Isak, the forward for Newcastle, was previously issued an apology by his former club in response to some peculiar remarks made by the head coach.
Isak, 25, is currently considered one of the most talented strikers in Europe and is garnering interest from Premier League champions Liverpool. He contributed 23 league goals and six assists to Newcastle United during the 2024/25 campaign, which resulted in the team winning the Carabao Cup and qualifying for the Champions League.
The Sweden international has played for five clubs in five different nations to reach the position he currently occupies. However, when he signed with a specific team, he was not welcomed with praise by a high-profile manager.
Isak joined Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund in 2017 for approximately €10 million after making an impression at Swedish side AIK.
Nevertheless, Thomas Tuchel, the former head coach of Dortmund and the current head coach of England, admitted that he was “not really familiar” with Isak when he signed him, despite the fact that he was already creating a name for himself in European football at the time.
In a press conference, Tuchel acknowledged, “I must admit that I did not really know Isak.”
“However, upon his introduction to me, I could immediately discern that the transfer was entirely logical.”
“Alex is a formidable striker who is adept at combining and can play with his back to the goal.” It is a pleasure to have him here, as he scores a significant number of goals. After participating in his initial training session, his condition has improved even further.
“The signing of Isak is entirely logical.” This provides the club with a sustainable solution for the striker position. Isak is an exceptionally gifted performer. In the wake of Adrian Ramos’ departure, we required an individual to serve as a backup to [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang. It is entirely reasonable for BVB to recruit a novice for that position.
The Independent subsequently reported in 2021 that Hans-Joachim Watzke, Dortmund’s then-chief executive, had privately apologized to the young forward.
Under Tuchel, Isak did not receive the attention he may have expected.
“I would have preferred to have played more,” Isak stated to Voetbal International in 2019.
“The fact that it has not worked out is both difficult and frustrating, but it has also improved my game as a result of training at a world-class level.”
In 2019, Isak signed with Real Sociedad in La Liga, where he scored 44 goals in 132 games. Before completing a reported £63m move to Newcastle in 2022, Tuchel soon learned the full extent of Isak’s capabilities.
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