"?Mario Gotze's agent, Roland Eitel, believes that the German international's spell at Bayern Munich was not a failure.
The Borussia Dortmund number 10 didn't live up to expectations and failed to stamp down a regular first team place under Pep Guardiola, hence his return to BVB this summer.
Having joined the German champions in 2013, it was three years of largely frustration for the World Cup winner.
Gotze bagged 22 goals in 73 appearances during his time at Bayern, however, which equals his goal record from his first spell at Dortmund (accrued from 10 less games), although his assist record for Dortmund was considerably better.
But Eitel does not think the move is a step down for his player, listing the impressive achievements of the player's career so far.
"We have to treat players differently. Gotze has been playing at the highest level for five years. He deserves much, much more respect," Eitel told "?Eurosport.
"Why are we talking about how Gotze failed at Bayern? He is only 24-years-old and has already won five Bundesliga titles, played 118 games for Bayern and fired Germany to World Cup glory. What do you mean a failure?
"Just like it is a lack of respect to say he should be training harder."
Gotze scored his first goal of his second spell at Dortmund in the opening Champions League game against Legia Warsaw, a game which Thomas Tuchel's side comfortably won 6-0.
Then and now"?Mario Gotze's goal for @BVB tonight is his first for the club for 1250 days pic.twitter.com/Er7ycSowhe
Dortmund currently sit top of the Bundesliga with three wins and a draw so far, but could be overtaken if a number of teams, including Bayern, win their games in hand.
Next up for BVB is the visit of Freiburg to the Signal Iduna Park on Friday night.