What’s Gone Wrong at Borussia Dortmund?

In the summer of 2024, Borussia Dortmund stood on the brink of glory, having reached the UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid. Fast-forward six months, and the German giants are a shadow of their former selves, plagued by inconsistency, defensive woes, and questionable management decisions. The rapid unraveling of this iconic club raises significant questions about its internal structure and strategy.

Sahin’s Struggles in the Dugout

Nuri Sahin, a former fan favorite and an essential player during the Jurgen Klopp era, was handed the reins after Edin Terzic stepped down, citing he had taken the team as far as he could. Sahin’s appointment seemed logical on paper. He knew the club’s ethos and had worked as an assistant coach under Terzic. However, concerns about his inexperience, having only managed Turkish side Antalyaspor, proved well-founded.

While Dortmund started the season promisingly, Sahin’s tenure soon unraveled. Tactical tinkering, a lack of cohesion, and questionable squad management led to poor performances. A defense riddled with injuries and inconsistent selections compounded the problems. Dortmund managed just one clean sheet in the Bundesliga since August, highlighting their inability to solve fundamental issues.

Leadership Void and Squad Imbalance

The departures of club stalwarts Mats Hummels and Marco Reus in the summer created a leadership vacuum that Dortmund failed to address. Without these figures, the team lacked the resilience and direction to recover from setbacks. Compounding this, the squad appeared imbalanced, with glaring defensive frailties and an overreliance on key attackers like Karim Adeyemi, whose injury further derailed their season.

The sporting directors, Sven Mislintat and Sebastian Kehl, faced scrutiny for their failure to recruit reinforcements during the transfer window. Fans and pundits alike criticized the club’s obsession with appointing former players and staff, arguing that nostalgia had blinded them to the need for external expertise.

Identity Crisis and Strategic Missteps

Dortmund’s current struggles reflect a broader identity crisis. The club, once celebrated for its focus on youth development and high-intensity football, now appears torn between commercial ambitions and sporting success. The 2024 Champions League final, rather than being a stepping stone, may have been a false dawn masking deeper systemic issues.

CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke’s upcoming departure offers an opportunity to reset, but Dortmund must strike a delicate balance. Restoring their values while modernizing their approach will require bold decisions, including moving away from a “club DNA” obsession.

The Path Forward

Dortmund’s downfall is not merely a product of poor coaching or injuries, it is the result of structural and strategic mismanagement. For a club that has inspired so many with its passionate fanbase and high-energy football, this period of turmoil offers a chance for introspection and renewal. The road back to the top will be difficult, but with the right leadership and a commitment to long-term vision, Dortmund can once again rise as a force in European football.

This downfall is a cautionary tale for clubs clinging too tightly to their past at the expense of their future.