Borussia Dortmund has undergone a significant shift in its sporting leadership structure following the departure of Sebastian Kehl as sporting director and the appointment of Ole Book as his successor. The changes, announced in March 2026, have redefined the club’s decision-making hierarchy and highlighted evolving dynamics between key figures in the organization.
Ole Book, who previously led SV Elversberg from the Regionalliga to the cusp of Bundesliga promotion, was introduced as Dortmund’s new sporting director on March 17, 2026. His appointment came shortly after the club confirmed Kehl’s departure, ending a tenure that had seen the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder oversee the sporting department since 2022. Book, aged 40 at the time of his appointment, brought experience from elevating a smaller club through the German football pyramid, though without prior Bundesliga-level sporting director experience.
The appointment was swiftly endorsed by Matthias Sammer, who serves as an advisor to the club. Speaking to Sky Germany, Sammer described Book’s hiring as a “fantastische Idee” (fantastic idea) when presented to sporting chief Lars Ricken. “Die ist nicht nur gut, die ist fantastisch. Sie ist mutig, sie ist eine Herausforderung, aber sie ist analytisch,” Sammer said, emphasizing Book’s analytical approach and courage in taking on the challenge at a club competing for Champions League qualification.
Sammer expressed confidence that Book would quickly adapt to the demands of the role despite lacking major trophy experience as a sporting director. “Was er vielleicht noch nicht hat (Titel, Anm. D. Red.), dann bin ich mal mutig und sage, das wird er mit uns bald bekommen,” Sammer remarked, suggesting he believes Book will soon add silverware to his resume during his Dortmund tenure.
Regarding Kehl’s departure, Sammer characterized it as necessary and respectful, noting that long-tenured sporting directors in major clubs often experience natural friction points. “Ich glaube – und das sage ich wirklich in respektvoller Art und Weise – da hat man sich ein bisschen aneinander abgearbeitet,” Sammer explained, indicating that both parties had simply reached a point where a change would benefit everyone involved. He added that Kehl would “durchschnaufen” (take a breather) before finding another suitable position in football.
The new structure places Lars Ricken, who holds the dual role of club president and sporting chief, at the apex of Dortmund’s sporting decision-making process. Ricken, a former Borussia Dortmund player and youth product, oversees both administrative and sporting functions, with Book reporting directly to him in his capacity as sporting director. This arrangement consolidates significant authority in Ricken’s hands, particularly given his long-standing association with the club dating back to his youth career in the 1990s.
Matthias Sammer, even as not holding an executive position, maintains influence as a trusted advisor and former Borussia Dortmund legend. His playing career with the club spanned from 1993 to 1998, during which he won Bundesliga titles in 1995 and 1996, the DFB-Supercup in 1995 and 1996, and was named European Footballer of the Year in 1996. As a player, he also contributed to Dortmund’s UEFA Champions League and Intercontinental Cup triumphs in 1997. Sammer later returned to the club as head coach from 2000 to 2004, leading them to the Bundesliga title in 2002.
The advisory role Sammer occupies allows him to provide counsel on sporting matters without direct executive authority. His endorsement of Book’s appointment carried considerable weight given his status as a Ballon d’Or winner (1996) and one of Germany’s most decorated football figures. Sammer’s background includes stints as sporting director at Bayern Munich from 2012 to 2016, giving him particular insight into the challenges and expectations of leading a top-tier Bundesliga club’s sporting department.
This revised power structure represents a continuation of Dortmund’s model of blending experienced football figures with fresh perspectives. Book’s appointment from outside the traditional Bundesliga sporting director pool reflects a willingness to consider candidates with proven success at lower levels, even if they lack direct experience at the club’s competitive tier. The emphasis on analytical approaches, as highlighted by Sammer, suggests Dortmund seeks to modernize its sporting decision-making processes while maintaining connections to its footballing heritage through figures like Ricken, and Sammer.
The effectiveness of this new arrangement will be evaluated through Dortmund’s performance in the Bundesliga and European competitions during the 2025-26 season. As of late March 2026, the club was positioned as a Bundesliga top-four contender, competing for Champions League qualification. Book’s first major tasks will involve assessing the current squad, identifying potential transfer targets for upcoming windows, and working with head coach Niko Kovač to align sporting strategy with tactical objectives on the pitch.
For now, the focus remains on implementing this new leadership model and observing how the relationship between Book, Ricken, and Sammer evolves in practice. The coming months will test whether this blend of experience, analytical rigor, and advisory insight can deliver the success Sammer predicted when he called Book’s appointment “fantastisch.”
Borussia Dortmund’s next Bundesliga match is scheduled for April 5, 2026, against VfL Wolfsburg at Signal Iduna Park. The club will gaze to build on its recent form under this new sporting leadership structure as it pursues its seasonal objectives.
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