German first-tier football league - Borussia Dortmund's coach Edin Terzic leaves the club.
Borussia Dortmund and Edin Terzic's marriage has come to an abrupt end. As the Champions League finalist's training ground saw their final session together, Terzic left through the back door while his club's higher-ups were deliberating on the recent season. The Bundesliga club agreed to his request to terminate his contract immediately.
Reflecting on his decision, Terzic mentioned, "I requested a meeting with the management after our finals in Wembley because I believed the new season should be accompanied by a new coach on the sidelines." The 41-year-old concluded, "This decision hurts me tremendously."
Appreciation from Watzke
Terzic's departure came after a season with questionable results despite reaching the top European league. The frustration at perceived insufficient appreciation for his efforts might have influenced his decision. Club boss Hans-Joachim Watzke praised Terzic, stating, "Edin Terzic has accomplished marvelous work for the BVB during his tenure. We are deeply grateful to him."
Despite a positive statement from Watzke three seasons ago about wanting to stick with Terzic for several years, their relationship deteriorated after the disappointing performances like the Bundesliga defeat against Bayern (0:4) and the subsequent loss to VfB Stuttgart (1:2).
Reportedly, tensions between Terzic and players had been on the rise, and the feud involving Mats Hummels came to a head. Hummels criticized Terzic following a DFB Cup clash with Stuttgart (0:2), whereas Terzic reportedly made his departure dependent on Hummels no longer being the coach. The breakup of Terzic and Dortmund increases the possibility of Hummels remaining at the club.
A Possible Successor?
Dortmund showed trust in Terzic despite his inconsistent performances and promoted him as a temporary coach following Favre's departure, leading them to a cup victory in 2021. After that, he was promoted to technical director, with Marco Rose already appointed. In 2022, Terzic returned as head coach after Rose's exit.
Sahin, a local player with 200 games for Dortmund, is being highly considered as a successor to Terzic. A former BVB professional, he's been linked to the club and has experience as a coach due to leading Antalyaspor in the Turkish first division from 2021 to 2023. Dortmund has held promising performances in the UEFA Europa League, eliminating teams like Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, signaling potential.
Terzic's Legacy
As interim coach after Favre's sudden departure three years ago, Terzic led Dortmund to a cup success and was eventually promoted to technical director. However, with Marco Rose set to take over, Terzic moved back to a coaching role before his departure later. A lifelong Borussia fan, Terzic had enjoyed backing from Watzke after a comparable sporting setback at the end of 2023 and was a beloved figure for fans. Finishing 0:4 against Bayern and 1:2 at VfB Stuttgart, Dortmund narrowly avoided relegation from the Bundesliga, an outcome that seemingly still plagues them today.
In conclusion, the split between Terzic and Dortmund presents an opportunity for a fresh start, with a familiar face as potential head coach: Nuri Sahin. After 200 games with Dortmund and prior coaching experience, he's a sought-after candidate to guide the team into the new season.
