Nuri Sahin Sacked as BVB Manager – Will Ten Hag Replace Him? Will Klopp Come Back?

It has been a season of what you might call mixed fortunes for Borussia Dortmund and many fans will likely be scratching their heads wondering why they are sitting 10th in the Bundesliga.

Their latest 2-1 defeat in the Champions League to a very average Bologna side has hammered the final nail in the coffin for manager Nuri Sahin who was swiftly ushered out of the door.

Nuri Sahin has been sacked from his role at Borussia Dortmund! 🟡⚫️ pic.twitter.com/26KW2OhUBt

— SleeperFootball (@SleeperFooty) January 22, 2025

Sahin, who perhaps, up until now, can be regarded as somewhat of a club legend, having been an integral part of a great Dortmund side as a player over two sustained spells and there was an element of eager anticipation about his return to the club last summer as manager.

Borussia Dortmund confirms Nuri Şahin as new Head Coach.

The former BVB player himself joined the coaching staff earlier this year and will now lead the team through June 2027. pic.twitter.com/aujDxwd9Vd

— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) June 14, 2024

However, things haven’t gone all according to plan. The club, who for over a decade have been considered title challengers are faltering somewhat this season, losing games they would have been expected to win and, with a good squad of players as well.

Ten Hag Rumours Circulating For Weeks

Current form would indicated that the possibility of a new manager has been on the cards for a few weeks – at least a more experienced one. What is perhaps remarkable, is that Sahin is still only in his mid 30s and has been in management since 2021.

Certainly a more delicate and pragmatic touch may be needed here and there have been suggestions that the recently departed Manchester United manager, Erik Ten Hag could be being lined up, though this might also leave many fans scratching their heads.

Ten Hag, no doubt, arrived at Old Trafford with a great reputation after a successful spell at Ajax and, it was certainly a difficult job for him; definitely he appeared to feel the pressure of managing a club that still has such a big reputation. This has also led to speculation that his former player at United, Marcus Rashford may also join him in Germany, amid suggestions that he appears to be surplus to requirements.

One area that seems to be the problem for Dortmund this season, is that they are leaking goals and are certainly not showing the defensive stability that they had last season. In attack, they are stocked with some of the best attacking talent – even in Europe, so you would feel, not much tweaking needs to be done in this area. Also, their goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel, still only 27, is regarded as one of the best intuitive custodians around in his position, especially based on last season, though it seems glaringly obvious that defensive frailties seem to be the issue.

Ten Hag’s tactics at United were often called into question by fans, with the vast majority accusing him of playing boring, defensive football, so at least, in the short term, this could be a quick fix if it means that the club can claw back the deficit and finish in a Champions League place.

Other Managerial Options

Ask any Dortmund fan and the vast majority would probably love to see what would be a fairytale return to the club, for ex-boss Jurgen Klopp, who left them to sign for Liverpool in 2015 where he won everything there was to win. This is probably very unlikely though.

Current VFB Stuttgart manager, Sebastian Honess is another name who is reportedly being closely monitored, with the club currently sitting fourth in Bundesliga and, would represent a good appointment.

He likely wouldn’t need convincing to join what is still one of the biggest clubs in Europe – he knows the Bundesliga and it would be seen as a natural career step. Another advantage, is that he already knows striker Serhou Guirrasy, who signed for a stunning £14.7 million last summer, as per his release clause, after scoring 28 goals in as many appearances last season. This term, he still, incredibly has a 100 percent record, currently with seven goals in seven appearances.

Ten Hag, likely to the frustration of many Dortmund fans though, appears to be in the driving seat, to replace Sahin and, it probably doesn’t inspire excitement. However, one thing is for certain – the club’s form definitely needs to improve and there is a big decision to be made. Ten Hag, at least on a contract until the end of the season, could be an ideal short term solution, if he can get them into Europe.