{"id":27108,"date":"2026-03-22T13:45:28","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T13:45:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/22\/dortmund-sporting-director-sebastian-kehl-steps-down-as-part-of-major-shake-up\/"},"modified":"2026-03-22T13:45:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T13:45:28","slug":"dortmund-sporting-director-sebastian-kehl-steps-down-as-part-of-major-shake-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eplvip.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/22\/dortmund-sporting-director-sebastian-kehl-steps-down-as-part-of-major-shake-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl steps down as part of major shake-up"},"content":{"rendered":"


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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.<\/p>\n

Dortmund announced on Sunday that Kehl and the club had “mutually agreed to end the cooperation” after reaching an “amicable” decision with management.<\/p>\n

“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.”<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“Sebastian Kehl’s departure naturally represents a significant change in the leadership of our sport.” carsten kramer<\/span>took 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.”<\/p>\n

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 S\u00fcdtribuune (South Stand) will always have a special place in my heart. It was an honour.”<\/p>\n

internal conflict<\/h2>\n

Cale and Ricken reportedly had frequent disputes due to their overlapping responsibilities for the team. Mr. Kael’s resignation strengthens Mr. Ricken’s position.<\/p>\n

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<\/span>. Additionally, the club announced that Salih Ozcan and Niklas S\u00fcle will also leave the club at the end of the season due to their contracts expiring.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/span> He suffered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.<\/p>\n

Dortmund are second in the Bundesliga. There is little chance of catching Bayern Munich, who are running alone in the lead.<\/span>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.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

AP Soccer: https:\/\/apnews.com\/hub\/soccer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n


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Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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. 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