Three years ago, Mario Götze made headlines when he left Borussia Dortmund to join Bayern Munich. Now, after an unfulfilling spell in Munich, he’s returned to his roots. According to a recent report by German outlet Sport1, Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has revisited the controversial transfer, revealing that Götze was misled by false promises made by senior Bayern officials during the move. While Watzke stopped short of naming the individual responsible, he made it clear that it was not Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Götze rose to fame early in his career with Dortmund, quickly becoming a cornerstone of the club’s future. But in the summer of 2013, he shocked fans by leaving the Westfalenstadion to join rivals Bayern Munich. His time in Bavaria, however, turned out to be a rocky road. Under Pep Guardiola’s management, Götze gradually lost his spot in the starting eleven and became a fringe player—a classic case of being “neither here nor there.”

At the time, Götze’s departure felt like a dagger to the heart for Dortmund supporters. But now, Watzke has suggested that the playmaker was not just the source of heartbreak—he was also a victim. In the recent interview, Watzke stated that Götze was deceived by someone within Bayern who led him to believe he was a key part of Guardiola’s vision. “I won’t name names,” Watzke said, “but someone told Mario he was a player Pep really wanted. Later, he came to realize that wasn’t the case at all.”

Watzke emphasized that this incident has not damaged Dortmund’s relationship with Bayern, adding, “Our ties with Bayern remain strong. This isn’t about harsh criticism—it’s about setting the record straight.”

Now, after three turbulent seasons at Bayern, Götze is back where he belongs. Although his form in Munich was far from his best, Watzke remains optimistic about his future in black and yellow. “The last three seasons didn’t go as planned,” he admitted. “But now Mario is home again. He’s surrounded by familiar faces, talented teammates, and an excellent coaching staff. We’re confident we can help him get back to the top.”

With renewed focus and support, Götze’s return to Dortmund could be the fresh start he needs—a chance to rewrite his story and once again become the player who lit up the Bundesliga in his youth. After all, sometimes it takes getting lost to find your way back.