Şahin’s Departure: A Reflection on Dortmund’s Deeper Struggles
In a move that has sent ripples through the football community, Nuri Şahin has been dismissed as the manager of Borussia Dortmund. This decision comes just over a year after Şahin returned to the club, initially as Edin Terzić’s assistant, before taking over the managerial reins. The club’s decision to part ways with Şahin was announced on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in their coaching strategy.
Şahin’s appointment last summer was met with optimism. The higher-ups at Dortmund believed that the former midfielder could breathe new life into the team, instilling a fresh identity and approach. However, the reality has been starkly different. Not only has there been little change, but Dortmund’s performance has arguably declined since Terzić’s tenure.
The recent 2-1 defeat to Bologna in the UEFA Champions League league phase has left Dortmund languishing in 13th place. Their Bundesliga campaign has been equally concerning, with consecutive losses to Bayer Leverkusen, Holstein Kiel, and Eintracht Frankfurt post-Christmas. Currently sitting 10th in the standings, they are a staggering 20 points behind leaders Bayern Munich, putting their Champions League qualification hopes in jeopardy.
Lars Ricken, the CEO for sport at Dortmund, expressed the club’s dwindling confidence in the current setup, stating, “After four losses in a row, with only one win in the past nine games and being 10th in the Bundesliga standings, we have unfortunately lost faith that we can achieve our goals with the current setup.”
Even before the Bologna match, Dortmund had begun the search for Şahin’s replacement. The list of potential candidates includes former Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovač, Urs Fischer, and Roger Schmidt. While a victory against Bologna might have bought Şahin some time, insiders suggest that his tenure was already on shaky ground, not due to a lack of managerial skill, but rather the challenging circumstances he faced.
Şahin’s inexperience as a coach was a significant factor, and perhaps the task of steering such a large club was too ambitious. Under Terzić, Dortmund often adopted an underdog mentality, playing reactive football, especially against top-tier teams like Bayern and Leverkusen. This approach, while successful in last year’s surprise Champions League final run, proved ineffective in domestic competitions, where they struggled against high-pressing and compact defenses.
Şahin aimed to transform Dortmund into a possession-based team, capable of breaking down opponents. He articulated his vision for build-up play and attack strategies during the summer, but these plans were seemingly abandoned after a few matches, reverting to Terzić’s style. Unfortunately, neither approach yielded success. A 5-1 loss to VfB Stuttgart in mid-September, followed by a 2-1 defeat to Union Berlin, highlighted the team’s struggles, regardless of their possession strategy.
The Christmas break was seen as a potential turning point, offering Şahin a chance to refine his attacking ideas. However, four consecutive losses marred by defensive errors signaled the end of his tenure. In the final games against Frankfurt and Bologna, Dortmund appeared to play with a fear of losing, likely reflecting Şahin’s mindset.
Matthias Sammer, an adviser to the club, noted the team’s lack of fitness as a contributing factor to their recent decline. “Physically and mentally, this team is in non-shape,” Sammer remarked after the Bologna game. “Sadly, this team cannot defend, but it cannot attack either.”
Conversations with sources close to the club reveal that Şahin is not solely to blame for the current slump. His successor will be the fifth manager since 2018, with Terzić having served twice during this period. Sacking Şahin was a last resort, given his popularity and respect among fans and officials. Moreover, another managerial change provides an excuse for the team’s poor performance this season. Unlike the end of Terzić’s second spell, where parts of the squad revolted, the players remained supportive of Şahin until the end.
The responsibility for Dortmund’s struggles extends beyond the manager. The players, along with those responsible for scouting, recruiting, and signing them, share the blame. Apart from winger Jamie Gittens and midfielder Felix Nmecha, no one has impressed this season. Leadership figures like Emre Can and Julian Brandt have rarely inspired their teammates.
Despite losing stars like Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham, as well as leaders like Marco Reus and Mats Hummels, Dortmund remains one of the Bundesliga’s most expensively assembled squads. However, like Manchester United, they have avoided a full-scale rebuild, opting instead to refresh the locker room with new transfers.
- Consider a squad overhaul to eliminate mediocrity.
- Focus on mental and physical fitness improvements.
- Reassess recruitment strategies and player development.
For now, Dortmund is likely to continue their current trajectory until the season’s end, though a Champions League qualification remains a possibility. The most probable scenario is that Kovač will be hired on a short-term contract, with the option for renewal if he can elevate the team. While Kovač may not be a tactical genius, his ability to instill grit and hard work in his teams could be what Dortmund needs.
The perception is that many of Dortmund’s players lack mental toughness and need to be pushed. The downturn in form this season is less about Şahin’s capabilities and more about the core group’s quality and mentality, as well as the judgment of those responsible for their recruitment.
Originally Written by: Constantin Eckner
