Borussia Dortmund has officially parted ways with coach Nuri Sahin just one day after suffering a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Bologna in the Champions League. This loss has pushed the team’s current losing streak to an alarming four consecutive games since the start of the new year. The situation is further exacerbated as last season’s runner-up in the Champions League now finds itself in a precarious position, sitting 13th out of 36 teams in the standings. The struggles are not limited to European competition; Dortmund is also languishing in 10th place in the Bundesliga.
In an official statement, sporting director Lars Ricken expressed the organization’s deep respect for Sahin and his efforts. “We really value Nuri Sahin and his work, we had wished for a long cooperation and until recently we hoped that we could manage to turn things around in sporting terms,” Ricken remarked. However, he acknowledged the harsh reality, stating, “After four losses in a row, with just one win from the last nine games and currently being 10th in the Bundesliga, unfortunately, we lost our faith in being able to achieve our sporting goals in the current configuration.” Ricken admitted that the decision to dismiss Sahin was particularly painful, but felt it was unavoidable following the lackluster performance against Bologna.
As of now, there are no details regarding Sahin’s successor, leaving fans to speculate about who might take the helm. Dortmund’s next match is scheduled for Saturday against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga, followed by a clash with Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, adding urgency to the situation.
Sahin, who took charge of the team in June, was stepping into the role after serving as an assistant to Edin Terzic. The latter had resigned in the wake of Dortmund’s 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League final, citing the need for the club to embark on a “new era.” Notably, striker Serhou Guirassy exhibited solidarity with Sahin by celebrating passionately after scoring the opening goal against Bologna. However, the joy was short-lived as Dortmund conceded two goals within a mere two minutes, an especially disheartening turn of events against an Italian team that had never previously won a Champions League match.
While the management had previously indicated support for Sahin following a loss to Eintracht Frankfurt, Ricken’s comments post-defeat to Bologna revealed a marked shift in tone. He described Sahin’s offensive tactics as “very brave,” particularly emphasizing the reliance on young players, but also noted a growing concern that conceding goals was becoming “a matter of time,” a sentiment that seemed to weigh heavily on the club’s current direction.
Sahin’s history with Dortmund adds an emotional layer to his departure. He is a player who has won the affection of fans, having joined the club as a youth in 2001 before his eventual transfer to Real Madrid a decade later. His return to Dortmund from 2013 to 2018 only solidified his status among supporters. However, his tenure as a head coach was relatively brief and limited to a two-year experience with Turkish club Antalyaspor.
In his farewell statement, Sahin recognized the challenges faced during his time at Dortmund, saying, “Unfortunately, we were not able at the current time to do justice to the sporting ambitions of Borussia Dortmund in this season. I wish this special club all the best.” His sentiment reflects the disappointment felt by many around the club amid a season fraught with underachievement. The future direction of Dortmund remains uncertain, but the decision to move on from Sahin signals a critical moment in the club’s ongoing quest for success.
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