If Dortmund's goal was to win the title, they wouldn't have sold the best players in the squad every season. But running the club definitely requires money. But if Dortmund's goal was to win the title, the management would have tried to make the squad stronger. But we don't see that. Dortmund builds a squad with young players every season. And tries to make money by selling these players at higher prices in the future. They didn't do that every season when the goal was to win the title.
Dortmund have not lacked funds at all since they managed to sell several talented players 10 years ago and it must be admitted that if Dortmund is a business club, I think the fans have to accept that fact because this business has been going on for a very long time. Dortmund will not win the title if they still have the same mindset "profit is above all else" I think that word is suitable to describe this club. On the other hand, Bayern Munich will remain the only strong candidate to win the Bundesliga every season because they always buy the players needed to win the title and will not sell them before their performance runs out.
This is exactly the dilemma that Dortmund fans face. Is Dortmund a club that wants a championship or a club that wants to sell players and make a profit? They cannot do both at the same time. They came very close this year, but it didn't happen. Even if they were champions, they would continue to sell players. It's like a Dortmund tradition. Still, I think they are successful. If their aim is just to make a profit, it's a great club. In the championship race, they take place in the ranking after Bayern Munich and go to the European cups. I think this is success.