Mike Tullberg has been appointed as the interim head coach of Borussia Dortmund, set to debut against Werder Bremen on January 25, 2025. After declining an offer from Brann Bergen, he remains committed to Dortmund, where he has had success managing youth teams. Tullberg aims to stabilize the senior squad amid Bundesliga struggles and hopes to leverage his experience with young talents to improve the team’s performance, potentially securing a permanent position.
Mike Tullberg Takes the Helm at Borussia Dortmund
Mike Tullberg, the Danish football coach, is set to lead Borussia Dortmund against Werder Bremen as he steps into the role of interim head coach. This decision comes after Tullberg turned down a tempting offer to coach the Norwegian club Brann Bergen, choosing to remain loyal to his current team.
A Brief Journey to Dortmund’s Sidelines
Earlier this January, Tullberg traveled to Bergen, Norway, where he engaged in negotiations with Brann Bergen’s officials about a potential managerial position. It was rumored that a contract was prepared for him to sign. His dedication to Borussia Dortmund was evident as he skipped the U19 team’s preparatory start to explore this opportunity. Ultimately, Tullberg opted against the move, choosing to stay in Dortmund instead.
The highly anticipated match against Werder Bremen is scheduled for January 25, 2025, at 3:30 PM, marking Tullberg’s debut in the Bundesliga. Following the dismissal of Nuri Sahin, he will now take charge of the senior team, while the U19 squad will navigate their season without his guidance for the time being.
Since joining Borussia Dortmund in 2019, Tullberg has made a significant impact, first managing the second team and then the U19, where he led them to win the German championship in 2022. He has worked closely with promising talents such as Youssoufa Moukoko and Jamie Gittens, both of whom have advanced to the professional squad, and he looks forward to reuniting with Gittens during this transition.
Currently, Tullberg’s U19 team is performing remarkably well, sitting at the top of their league, and they are gearing up for a challenging round of 16 match against Real Madrid in the Youth League in mid-February. Tullberg expressed his commitment to Borussia Dortmund, stating, “I am a coach at Borussia Dortmund and still very happy to work here. Our goal is to reach the knockout stage in the youth league and to present ourselves well in the Youth League in Madrid. Our top goal remains to push as many players as possible through.”
The club’s decision to appoint Tullberg as interim coach follows the recent turmoil under Sahin’s leadership, as Dortmund seeks stability amid their current struggles in the Bundesliga. With the team languishing in tenth place, the search for a permanent solution has begun, with names like Niko Kovac, Joachim Löw, and Erik ten Hag being considered for the head coach position.
Tullberg’s extensive experience with young players and his successful track record make him a compelling candidate to turn around Dortmund’s fortunes, at least temporarily. If he manages to achieve positive results, he could potentially extend his tenure beyond the interim role, following the precedent set by other interim coaches who have successfully transitioned into permanent positions.
Regardless of the outcome in Dortmund, Tullberg’s name is likely to remain prominent in the football community, as he has proven himself capable and may attract interest from various clubs beyond just Brann Bergen.