DORTMUND, Germany (AP) – Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl will leave the club with immediate effect as the club undergoes major changes following a trophyless season.
Dortmund announced on Sunday that Kehl and the club had “mutually agreed to end the cooperation” after reaching an “amicable” decision with management.
“Summer is the perfect time to make a change. In order for both parties to be ready, we have mutually agreed to terminate Sebastian’s contract with immediate effect,” managing director Lars Ricken said in a statement. “Sebastian and I share a long history. Not only did we play together at Borussia Dortmund, but we also won the German Championship together in 2002. Sebastian has made a huge contribution to our club.”
Kehl, a former team captain who led Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, became the club’s director of licensed players in 2018 and was promoted to sporting director in 2022.
“Sebastian Kehl’s departure naturally represents a significant change in the leadership of our sport.” carsten kramertook over as CEO from Hans-Joachim Watzke in October last year. “This separation at this time is a logical step in order to facilitate the necessary changes for next season and to give Sebastian time to consider the next steps in his professional career.”
Kehl, who joined Dortmund from Freiburg in January 2002, said: “Half of my life has been part of my life and I have a very strong connection with this great club… Dortmund, the wonderful stadium and the Südtribuune (South Stand) will always have a special place in my heart. It was an honour.”
internal conflict
Cale and Ricken reportedly had frequent disputes due to their overlapping responsibilities for the team. Mr. Kael’s resignation strengthens Mr. Ricken’s position.
This is also not the first change the club has announced before the end of the season. Earlier this month, Ricken announced: Midfielder Julian Brandt leaves the club. Additionally, the club announced that Salih Ozcan and Niklas Süle will also leave the club at the end of the season due to their contracts expiring.
Germany national team defender Nico Schlotterbeck’s departure is undecided, his contract with Dortmund expires next year, and his renewal has not yet been decided.
Dortmund announced on Saturday that team captain Emre Can has agreed to a one-year extension to his contract, which expires at the end of this season. The can is I’ll be out for the rest of the season. He suffered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Dortmund are second in the Bundesliga. There is little chance of catching Bayern Munich, who are running alone in the lead.Meanwhile, they were eliminated from the Champions League by Atalanta, who gave them a 2-0 lead in the first leg of the playoffs. Bayer Leverkusen eliminated the club in the quarterfinals of the German Cup.
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