Despite a 3-2 victory over Hamburger SV on Saturday evening, Borussia Dortmund announced on Sunday the immediate departure of Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl.
Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund and Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl have mutually agreed to end their collaboration with immediate effect. The club announced this on Sunday.
Saturday evening saw Dortmund overcome a 2-0 deficit to defeat Hamburger SV 3-2, aided by two penalty goals (in a match that featured three penalties awarded to Dortmund overall). Now, the club is separating from Kehl, who had held the position of Sporting Director since the summer of 2022.
In a club statement, Dortmund’s Managing Director of Sport, Lars Ricken, stated, “In a very open discussion, Sebastian Kehl, Carsten Cramer (BVB Management Spokesperson, ed. Note) and I came to the joint conviction that now is the right time for changes.”
Kehl himself was a player for BVB for 13 years, winning three German championships and the DFB-Pokal during his time with the club. From 2018 to 2022, he served as Head of Licensed Players.
Regarding his departure from BVB, Kehl stated in the release that he and the club’s leadership felt “that This proves time to move our separate ways – both for BVB and for me.” He expressed pride in having been a part of the club for around 24 years, calling it “an honor.”
The immediate task for both Kehl and Borussia Dortmund is to address the future. For the Dortmund club, this is a pressing matter, as the Sporting Director is a crucial figure in player transfers. There has been past criticism of Dortmund’s personnel decisions, some of it directed at Sebastian Kehl. To ensure the Bundesliga club can negotiate with new players for the upcoming season, the role of Sporting Director needs to be filled.
Carsten Cramer added, “The departure of Sebastian Kehl naturally represents a significant change in our sporting leadership.” He stated that this decision was the logical step to facilitate the necessary changes for the upcoming season.
According to reporting from SPORT1, Kehl was already linked with a move to Hamburger SV before his exit from Dortmund, and remains a candidate for the vacant position there. However, he will face competition for the role.
The HSV are seeking a successor to former Sporting Director Stefan Kuntz, with whom they agreed to a contract termination earlier this year. Kehl has long been considered a candidate. It remains unclear how his departure from BVB will affect the situation.
SPORT1 reports that HSV plans to enter the active phase of filling the position in the summer, engaging a consulting firm to compile a list of candidates. The club is not ruling out a high-profile candidate like Kehl. As of now, the personnel search is in its early stages, though Kehl possesses the potential to become a leading contender. Sporting Director Claus Costa is also considered a possible successor to Kuntz.
Sebastian Kehl’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter for both the executive and Borussia Dortmund. The club now faces the challenge of finding a replacement to steer their sporting direction, while Kehl explores potential opportunities elsewhere in the football landscape. The search for a new Sporting Director will undoubtedly be a key focus for Borussia Dortmund in the coming weeks.
Note: This article has been updated.
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