In the days leading up to the pivotal Champions League clash in northern Italy, Borussia Dortmund found themselves at a crossroads.
The pressure was mounting on head coach Nuri Sahin, whose tenure had been fraught with challenges since the season resumed after the winter break. Despite his storied playing career at clubs like Feyenoord, Dortmund, Liverpool, and Real Madrid, Sahin struggled to translate his on-pitch success into managerial stability. With the team languishing in 10th place in the Bundesliga and morale at an all-time low, the match against Bologna represented a last chance for Sahin to salvage his position.
The game itself did little to ease the growing concerns. Dortmund fell to a frustrating defeat, with Bologna’s Thijs Dallinga delivering a standout performance, including a crucial goal. The loss extended Dortmund’s winless streak in European and domestic competitions, further eroding confidence in Sahin’s ability to turn the season around. According to reports from Bild and Sky Deutschland, the situation reached a breaking point later that evening. In the aftermath of the loss, Sahin was summoned to a meeting at the team hotel, where he was informed of the club’s decision to part ways with him. The decision, while not unexpected, marked a painful conclusion to Sahin’s time at the helm.
Immediately after the match, Sahin had attempted to maintain a composed front. "We’ll sit down tonight or tomorrow morning and assess things," he told reporters. "Our relationship is far too stable to make a decision right now." However, the meeting with Dortmund’s leadership expedited the inevitable. Hours later, the official announcement was made, confirming Sahin’s dismissal.
Sporting director Lars Ricken offered insight into the decision, emphasizing the club’s initial hopes for a successful long-term partnership with Sahin. "We hold Nuri Sahin and his work in the highest regard and hoped for a long-term partnership. Until the very end, we had hoped we could achieve a sporting turnaround together," Ricken stated. "But after four consecutive defeats and only one win in the last nine matches, we no longer have confidence that we can achieve our goals under this arrangement. This decision is painful but unavoidable."
Sahin’s departure leaves Dortmund at a critical juncture. With the team’s Bundesliga campaign in disarray and their European hopes hanging by a thread, the focus has shifted to finding a replacement who can steady the ship. According to German media, Dortmund has already begun exploring potential candidates to fill the vacant managerial position. Two names have emerged as frontrunners: Erik ten Hag and Roger Schmidt.
Ten Hag, who is widely respected for his tactical acumen and success at Ajax, has been available since his departure from Manchester United. His ability to develop young talent and implement a dynamic style of play aligns with Dortmund’s long-term vision. Roger Schmidt, on the other hand, brings a wealth of experience from his time at Bayer Leverkusen and, more recently, Benfica. Schmidt has been without a club since leaving the Portuguese giants in late August, making him an attractive option for a mid-season appointment.
The search for a new coach comes less than a year after Dortmund’s decision to appoint Sahin as the successor to Edin Terzic. Terzic, despite guiding the team to a Champions League final, had departed amid reports of disagreements with the club’s hierarchy. Sahin’s appointment was seen as a bold move, given his limited managerial experience, but his deep connection to the club and knowledge of its culture were expected to compensate for his lack of a proven track record.
Unfortunately, Sahin’s tenure was marked by inconsistency and missed opportunities. While there were flashes of promise, particularly in the early stages of the season, the team’s struggles in 2024 undermined any progress. The winter break, which should have offered a chance to regroup and reset, instead marked the beginning of a steep decline. Back-to-back losses in the Bundesliga, coupled with the defeat to Bologna, ultimately sealed Sahin’s fate.
As Dortmund prepares for life after Sahin, the immediate focus will be on Saturday’s Bundesliga clash against Werder Bremen. Mike Tullberg, the coach of Dortmund’s Under-19 team, has been tasked with overseeing the first team on an interim basis. While the appointment of a permanent manager is expected to follow soon, Tullberg’s role will be critical in stabilizing the team and preventing further slide in the league standings.
The situation underscores the high stakes and relentless pressure of managing a club of Dortmund’s stature. For Sahin, his first foray into top-tier management has been a harsh learning experience. While his departure marks the end of one chapter, it also serves as a reminder of the challenges that come with leading one of Europe’s most storied clubs. As Dortmund looks ahead, the hope is that the next appointment will bring the stability and success that the club and its fans so desperately seek.