An interview with Paul Lambert, by Callum McFadden for WFi.
You joined Borussia Dortmund in 1996 on a free transfer after leaving Motherwell. Your move came during a transformative time for football, with the Bosman ruling reshaping the landscape in Europe. Did you have other options before choosing Borussia Dortmund, and what led you to join them?
“That’s an easy question—because there weren’t any other options. Nobody else was interested. That’s why I had to go on trial. Believe it or not, I actually spoke to Jean-Marc Bosman a couple of years ago. Without him, no players would have been able to move the way they do now. Meeting him was a fascinating experience, and it happened through one of these events where they asked me to participate in a documentary, which aired on BT.
“I was one of the first players to benefit from the ruling. Players like Brian McClair, who moved from Motherwell, and John Collins, who went to Monaco, were part of that era. Every footballer owes Bosman a huge debt for what he endured. Watching the documentary, you realise the hardships he faced. His work changed football forever.
“As for me, I had to go through trials. I was set up by a Dutch agent and played trial games elsewhere before moving to Dortmund. I had four trial matches there, and things took off from there.”
During your first few weeks at Dortmund, how did you find the standard of play? What was it like joining a team with world-class players like Stefan Klos, Matthias Sammer, Andreas Möller, and Stéphane Chapuisat?
“They were world-class, no question. Moving from Motherwell to Dortmund was like going from one extreme to another. The standard, the expectations, the size of the club, and the incredible fanbase—it was all massive.
“The players you mentioned, along with others like Karl-Heinz Riedle and Júlio César, made up an incredible squad. The difference in scale and quality was incomparable to what I had experienced before in Scotland. It was a privilege to be part of a team of that calibre.”
You mentioned the leap in quality between your previous clubs and Dortmund. How did you adapt to life at the club, especially considering the legacy you’ve left there, including winning the Champions League?
“I knew I had to raise my game to match the level of the players around me. Ottmar Hitzfeld saw something in me that perhaps others hadn’t. He molded me into the kind of player he needed, and game intelligence was key to my adaptation. At that level, you had to think and play quickly, often with just one or two touches, but I was comfortable with that.
“I had to understand my role in the team and work hard to build relationships with my teammates. The competition in Germany was far greater than in Scotland, so I couldn’t afford to play at the same level as I had before. It was about raising the bar and testing myself every day.”
You excelled in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League during your season at Dortmund. In Europe, you defeated teams like Atlético Madrid and Manchester United on your way to the Champions League final where you faced Juventus. How proud are you of that campaign and the final itself as Dortmund defeated Juventus 3-1 to win with you becoming the first UK player to win the Champions League with a foreign club?
“The Champions League was a special experience, but the big games never fazed me. Playing in the Bundesliga had already exposed me to world-class talent, so I was ready for those challenges.
“In terms of the final itself, Juventus were heavy favourites and when Del Piero scored after Riedle’s two goals for us, it felt like momentum had shifted. But, thankfully, Lars Ricken came on, and with his first touch, lobbed the goalkeeper off a brilliant Andreas Möller pass.
“That goal sealed it, and when the whistle blew, it was pure chaos. Playing in the Champions League is one thing, but winning it and lifting that trophy is an unmatched experience.
“I knew the fans would turn out in their thousands, and the atmosphere would be electric. Playing Juventus in the final at the Olympic Stadium was extraordinary. To be the first British player to win the Champions League with a foreign club is part of history, and no one can take that away.
“I don’t dwell on those moments much, but they catapulted my career. Beating Manchester United in the semifinals was particularly satisfying. Roy Keane mentioned our battle in his autobiography; we respected each other’s mindset and approach to the game. At Old Trafford, I knew if we scored, it would be very tough for them to beat us.”
Finally, Paul, what was it like to lift the European Cup? Did it bring back memories of your early days at St. Mirren or Motherwell, considering how far you had come?
“When you’re in the moment, you don’t really reflect on your journey. Those memories come later, after your career is over. At the time, I was focused on the present.
“I earned my place in that Dortmund team and worked hard to stay there, knowing how difficult it was to regain a spot if you lost it. The fans took to me right away, which helped immensely. My focus was on winning games, and that mindset defined my career from then on.
“Winning the Champions League is the highest honour in European football. It was an incredible time and a career highlight that I’ll always cherish.”
COMMENTS