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Borussia Dortmund have sacked head coach Nuri Sahin following Tuesday’s 2-1 Champions League loss at Bologna, citing a “loss of faith” in him.
Dortmund, who were beaten finalists in the competition last season, have now suffered four consecutive defeats in all competitions. In the Bundesliga, Dortmund currently sit 10th, 20 points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
German media have reported that potential successors could include former Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag, who has been seen attending Dortmund games recently, or former Benfica and Bayer Leverkusen manager Roger Schmidt.
Sahin was assistant to former Dortmund coach Edin Terzic during last season’s surprise run to the Champions League final, where they lost to Real Madrid. The 36-year-old was promoted to head coach in the summer.
“We have unfortunately lost faith that we will achieve our sporting goals,” said sporting CEO Lars Ricken on Wednesday.
Ricken added, “The decision hurts… but was unavoidable after the game in Bologna. We value Nuri Sahin and his work very much, and we hope for a long collaboration. Until the end, we had hope that we could achieve a sporting turnaround together.”
This dismissal marks another turbulent chapter for recent Dortmund managers. Since Jurgen Klopp’s departure in 2015, the club has had eight head coaches, including two stints by Terzic. Only one, Lucien Favre, has remained for more than two years.
Later on Wednesday, Dortmund announced that U19 coach Mike Tullberg would take over on an interim basis, starting with Saturday’s home clash against Werder Bremen.
A disappointed Sahin said, “Unfortunately, I was not able to live up to Dortmund’s sporting ambitions at this point in time. I wish this special club all the best.”
Sahin’s appointment was part of the club’s recent strategy of hiring former players in leadership roles. Terzic, Ricken, and sporting director Sebastian Kehl all had long careers as Dortmund players.
Sahin came through Dortmund’s junior ranks and played 274 games for the club, including being part of the side that won the 2011 Bundesliga title. His career also included stints at Real Madrid and Liverpool.
The Germany-born former Turkish international’s first managerial position was at Turkish side Antalyaspor, where he finished his playing career.
Sahin led Antalyaspor to seventh and 13th-place finishes in the league before moving to Dortmund as assistant manager in January 2023.
After Tuesday’s loss, Sahin told reporters, “If I am the problem, or if a change of coach solves the issues, then that’s no problem at all.”
Under Sahin this season, Dortmund have particularly struggled away from their 82,000-capacity Westfalenstadion fortress, having lost nine and won just four of their 15 matches. In addition to their poor league form, Sahin’s side were eliminated in the last 32 of the German Cup by Wolfsburg.
However, they still entertain hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stages, despite the defeat by Bologna, as they lie 13th in the table.
