Sebastian Kehl to succeed Michael Zorc as Borussia Dortmund sporting director
By Tushar Bahl
Borussia Dortmund have announced that Sebastian Kehl will succeed Michael Zorc as the club’s sporting director when the latter steps down next year.
It has long been an open secret that Sebastian Kehl would be becoming the next Borussia Dortmund sporting director. Now the news has finally been made official by the Black and Yellows. The 41 year old will succeed Michael Zorc, who is set to call time on his storied BVB career at the end of the upcoming season.
Kehl has signed a new contract until 2025 and will head the sporting department at Borussia Dortmund starting from next season.
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said that he is convinced Sebastian Kehl has all the tools required to succeed as the club’s sporting director.
"“Sebastian Kehl has done a good job in recent years and has already commenced preparations for his future role as BVB’s sporting director. Of course, he has big shoes to fill, but we are convinced that Sebastian has what it takes to do the job.”"
While current sporting director Michael Zorc said that the decision to appoint Sebastian Kehl as his successor was a logical one.
"“The working relationship between Sebastian Kehl and myself has been shaped by great trust from day one. The fact that the management has now decided to make him my successor in the summer of 2022 is, in my view, a sensible and logical decision.”"
Kehl said that he is proud to have been given the opportunity to become the next sporting director at Borussia Dortmund.
"“I have felt very closely connected to this great club for almost 20 years now and I’m proud to be given the opportunity to shape the sporting future of Borussia Dortmund in a position of responsibility starting in 2022.”"
Sebastian Kehl spent 13 years as a player at Borussia Dortmund, and won three Bundesliga titles as well as the DFB-Pokal. He returned to the club in 2018 as the head of the professional players’ department, and has been working closely with Michael Zorc ever since.
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It was reported in February that Kehl was one of the driving forces behind Borussia Dortmund’s decision to appoint Marco Rose as the new head coach. And the duo will now have a crucial role to play in the club’s sporting future.