Borussia Dortmund have parted ways with head coach Nuri Sahin after their 2-1 Champions League defeat at Bologna on Tuesday.
The German club’s recent struggles have seen them lose four consecutive matches across all competitions since the winter break. Tuesday’s defeat marked Dortmund’s third loss in this season’s Champions League, leaving last year’s runners-up in a precarious position.
To progress automatically to the last 16, Dortmund must now defeat Shakhtar Donetsk in their final league-phase game and rely on favourable results elsewhere.
Sporting CEO Lars Ricken confirmed the decision, stating, “We have unfortunately lost faith that we will achieve our sporting goals under Nuri Sahin. This decision hurts, but it was unavoidable after the game in Bologna.”
Sahin, 36, was promoted to head coach last summer after serving as an assistant during Dortmund’s surprise run to the Champions League final, where they lost to Real Madrid. However, the team’s current Bundesliga form sees them languishing in 10th place, 20 points behind leaders Bayern Munich, and in danger of missing out on European qualification for next season.
In a statement, Sahin expressed his disappointment, saying, “Unfortunately, we have not managed to live up to Borussia Dortmund’s sporting ambitions this season. I wish this special club all the best.”
German media have reported potential successors, including former Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag and ex-Bayer Leverkusen manager Roger Schmidt.
Until a permanent replacement is named, Dortmund’s U19 coach Mike Tullberg will take over on an interim basis, starting with Saturday’s Bundesliga clash against Werder Bremen.
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