Dortmund’s goalkeeper Gregor Kobel lost his composure during a DFB Cup defeat to Wolfsburg, sparking discussions about the team’s ongoing struggles this season. Coach Nuri Sahin faces scrutiny after tactical mistakes during a recent Champions League loss to Real Madrid. Despite his ties to the club, doubts about Sahin’s strategic capabilities arise, complicating his position. With potential changes looming in the squad, Dortmund’s performance continues to decline, challenging their historic ambition to compete with rivals like FC Bayern.
Gregor Kobel, the Dortmund goalkeeper, rarely shows frustration, but during the DFB Cup match against Wolfsburg, he couldn’t hold back his emotions. After a disappointing 1-0 defeat in extra time, marked by a goal from Jonas Wind, Kobel removed his gloves and tossed them away in evident anger.
While Kobel wasn’t at fault for the goal and the team didn’t perform poorly overall, Dortmund finds itself struggling this season and is already grappling with a significant crisis after just eight matchdays.
Ahead of the Bundesliga clash with Leipzig this weekend, discussions within the Dortmund camp revolve not just around coach Nuri Sahin, but also potential major changes to the squad. According to the well-informed “Bild” newspaper, key players such as Julian Brandt, Donyell Malen, Emre Can, Marcel Sabitzer, and Niklas Süle may be facing the possibility of exiting the club.
The Süle Situation: A Symbol of Dortmund’s Challenges
Niklas Süle epitomizes the problems facing Dortmund. Since transferring from Bayern Munich a year and a half ago, Süle’s form has noticeably declined, leading to concerns about the club’s environment and its impact on player performance.
The club seems to be stuck in a cycle of mediocrity, slowly losing its competitive edge against Bayern Munich. Last season’s journey to the Champions League final under coach Edin Terzic was a bright spot amidst growing internal turmoil.
Deciding not to retain Terzic was a high-risk move; despite his waning support within the club, finding a coach who could deliver better results with this squad is a considerable challenge.
Mistakes Made by Coach Sahin
So far, Nuri Sahin does not appear to be the right choice for this role, especially after Dortmund’s lackluster performances cast doubt on his strategic capabilities. Following a significant 5-2 defeat to Real Madrid, Sahin acknowledged his errors. Under Terzic, Dortmund had shown great resolve against the Spanish giants, but in this recent encounter, despite leading 2-0 in the first half, the team’s fortunes changed after Sahin’s tactical adjustments.
Sahin’s decision to focus on shadowing winger Rodrygo overlooked the threat posed by Vinícius Júnior, one of Europe’s top attackers. Such tactical oversights can severely undermine a coach’s credibility, particularly when they contrast sharply with established strategies from successful coaches like Josep Guardiola.
The pressing question is how long Sahin can retain his position. His ability to articulate his game philosophy is notably lacking, leaving fans and analysts questioning his insights. “We must be more resilient in tough moments,” he stated following the Wolfsburg loss. Yet, this raises the question: who would argue otherwise?
Despite the challenges, Sahin’s position holds some weight as appointing him came with risks acknowledged by the club’s leadership, including CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke, managing director Lars Ricken, and sporting director Sebastian Kehl. Kehl advocated for this change, aware that any failure would reflect on their judgments as well.
Sahin: A True “Borusse”
While Sahin is relatively inexperienced as a head coach in the Bundesliga, he is not just any coach for BVB. His history with the club, particularly during the successful Jürgen Klopp era, elevates his status within the Dortmund community. Although his return yielded limited success, he remains a quintessential “Borusse,” embodying the club’s spirit despite his varied journey through football.
Ultimately, while it’s essential to honor the club’s history, Dortmund must balance sentimentality with a forward-thinking approach. The longing for Klopp’s era has lingered too long, especially with Klopp now committed to RB Leipzig.
Recognizing and valuing one’s legacy is not misguided—this extends to both Sahin and BVB legends like Lars Ricken and Sebastian Kehl in their management. However, injecting an external viewpoint could benefit Dortmund as they navigate their current challenges.