Nuri Şahin is no longer the Borussia Dortmund coach, but even as he led BVB on in a pivotal Champions League clash against Serie A club Bologna on Tuesday, it seemed that the succession candidates were lining up behind him.
And after a 2-1 defeat in Italy, the club made a change.
Prior to the official sacking, Sky Sport DE journalist Florian Plettenberg issued this report:
⚫️ If Borussia Dortmund decide on an interim solution until the end of the season in the event of parting ways with Nuri #Sahin, Sebastian #Hoeneß is one of the top candidates for #BVB in summer.
Hoeneß, who is once again very successful with Stuttgart, could leave VfB in the summer due to a release clause worth €7-8m, which Dortmund could activate after the season.
Leipzig and Leverkusen are also keen on him, but that’s nothing new.
However, Hoeneß’s first point of contact remains Stuttgart. His contract runs until 2027, and his future is expected to be decided in March or April.
@SkySportDE
BFW Analysis
Dortmund is in a state of mess, but it has not just been a few years. The problems at this point seem to be rooted deep in the culture at the club, at least at the executive level. The Black and Yellows are hardly bereft of talent, but have turned the keys over to a succession of club favorites as coaches — from Edin Terzić’s two stints to Nuri Şahin — who have had moments bright enough to extend their stays but have largely only overseen the BVB ship running aground.
Now that names such as former Manchester United and Ajax coach Erik ten Hag and the promising Hoeneß are floating around, could it be a sign that Dortmund is going to chart a different course? Much may have depended on the match in Bologna…and after a 2-1 defeat that was much more dismal than the scoreline indicates, the Dortmund brass need to have a good long think about the state of the team.
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