Borussia Dortmund have announced the departure of sporting director Sebastian Kehl with immediate effect. The club said in a statement on Sunday that they have mutually agreed to terminate his contract.
Kehl had been the sporting director of Die Borussen since 2022 after he replaced the outgoing Michael Zorc, who retired that summer. Since then, the former Dortmund player had been at the helm of transfer business at the club.
In his departing words, the 46-year-old reflected back upon his near-quarter-of-a-century-long association with Dortmund, first as a player and then at various levels of management. He said:
"“Borussia Dortmund has been part of me for half of my life and I feel an extremely strong bond with this magnificent club. Nevertheless, we have now jointly come to the conclusion that it is time to move on – both for BVB and for me. Lars, Carsten and I reached this conclusion today during a constructive discussion. I owe a great deal to Borussia Dortmund and am proud to have been part of the BVB family for around 24 years.""said Kehl
His departure comes at a crucial period for Dortmund, who are set for a fifth straight trophyless season. With some big names such as Julian Brandt confirmed to leave and a few more likely to follow, the Black and Yellows are looking at a squad upheaval with the aim of challenging for the Bundesliga crown next season.
Although the club hasn't announced a new sporting director yet, there are a few names in the hat. According to German media outlet Ruhr Nachrichten, VfB Stuttgart's Fabian Wohlgemuth and Andreas Schicker of Hoffenheim are among the potential candidates to succeed Kehl.
Managing director of Dortmund, Lard Ricken also honored his former teammate in an official statement, highlighting his achievements as a player for them.
" “In a very frank discussion, Sebastian Kehl, Carsten Cramer and I came to the mutual conclusion that this summer is the right time for change. To allow both sides to prepare for this, we have mutually agreed to terminate Sebastian’s contract with immediate effect. Sebastian and I also share a long history. Not only did we play together for Borussia Dortmund, but we also won the German championship together in 2002. Sebastian has rendered enormous service to our club and we are very grateful to him for his great commitment.”"added Ricken.
Kehl made 362 appearances for Borussia Dortmund in all competitions as a player, while winning seven trophies, including three Bundesliga titles. He was notably a part of Jurgen Klopp's BVB that romped to their first ever league double of the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal trophies in 2012.