But, despite all of those factors, is Sahin the man responsible for Dortmund's current form?
In part, yes, because he is the one who sets up the team and instructs them on what to do. However, we all know Dortmund's problems run way deeper than that. The 36-year-old manager who just got his first gig with little experience was put in that position by someone. Or, in fact, more than one.
Hans-Joachim Watzke, Lars Ricken, Sebastian Kehl, and all BVB decision-makers should also be held accountable for Borussia Dortmund's meteoric decline. Since Edin Terzić's resurgence at the Signal Iduna Park, the club's modus operandi has been a "hire a friend" policy. Recognizable faces were preferred for important roles rather than experience in the field (not the football-playing one).
Lars Ricken's nomination to replace Watzke as future CEO is the prime example of that policy. As much as those faces have received their deserved recognition in the past, modern football requires professionalism to achieve success. And that success requires professionals, especially those with resumes that back up their role at the football club.
Although a considerable amount of nepotism has been the norm at Borussia Dortmund for a while now: Michael Zorc, Sebastian Kehl, Edin Terzić, Nuri Sahin, and the list goes on. All those names had (and still have) their qualities and mistakes while working in administrative roles, as well as players. But, under no circumstances can those legends' good deeds on the pitch become the main hiring criteria for upper positions in football management.
The same criteria were used to appoint Nuri Sahin as the new manager following the defeat at the UEFA Champions League Final. Even with Terzić's ups and downs during his second spell as coach, those were some big shoes to fill in a massive football club.