Bundesliga: German Top-Tier Football Championships - Marriage dissolves as coach Terzic departs BVB.
The relationship between Borussia Dortmund and Edin Terzic has come to an end, and it appears that veteran defender Mats Hummels will also be leaving the team. Terzic left the training site of the Champions League finalist before the end-of-the-season review, known as the Elephant Round. A statement from the club reveals that they agreed to Terzic's request to terminate his contract immediately.
Nuri Sahin, currently the co-trainer, is reportedly prepared to take over as Terzic's successor. According to "Bild" newspaper, minor details are still being worked out. However, it seems that Hummels, a 2014 World Cup winner, will not be receiving a new contract - despite the departure of BVB coach Terzic.
"I approached the responsible people after our final in Wembley for a conversation because I think the upcoming restart should be accompanied by a new leader on the sidelines," Terzic commented on his decision, which "hurts me incredibly."
Watzke's Praise
The BVB's entry into the Champions League final against Real Madrid (0:2) couldn't prevent the cracks that had formed in recent months from growing. Despite the fact that his team qualified for the European Champions League due to a special regulation, they threw away much of their potential. Still, club boss Hans-Joachim Watzke had words of appreciation for Terzic's departure: "Edin Terzic has made tremendous contributions to the BVB throughout his career. We are all extremely appreciative."
At the beginning of the previous season, Watzke, who was set to leave the following year, had said he wanted to continue with Terzic "for the next few years." However, the alliance between the local football coach and the BVB took a hit when the team suffered defeats against Bayern (0:4) and VfB Stuttgart (1:2) in the Bundesliga summit.
Tensions between the team and the coach were seen as growing when several media outlets perceived a dispute between Hummels and Terzic. Hummels had criticized his head coach after the DFB Cup defeat against Stuttgart (0:2), as revealed in a recent interview with "Sport Bild." Terzic, in turn, had complained about Hummels' red card in the game against RB Leipzig. The peak of the feud was reportedly when Hummels made his continuation at Dortmund contingent on Terzic no longer being the coach. Now, it seems both have left the club.
Sahin as a Possible Successor?
During the winter break, Terzic was still considered trustworthy by the Elephant Round despite repeated poor performances by his team. However, the fact that Dortmund gave Terzic two former BVB professionals, Sven Bender and Nuri Sahin, as assistants was seen by many observers as a backup plan for the leadership in the event of a sporting crisis.
This arrangement could prove beneficial. Thus, it is believed that Sahin will be Terzic's successor. Sahin's advisor Reza Fazeli was already at the office on Thursday. Like his predecessor, Sahin hails from the surrounding area of Dortmund. In addition, he has a special relationship with the Revierclub following his time playing more than 200 games in the black and yellow jersey. Sahin gained his first experience as a trainer in the professional league from 2021 to 2023 at the Turkish first-league club Antalyaspor.
Sahin would be in high demand. Only in the European royal class, where Dortmund successfully separated from Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, and Newcastle United to win the Hammer group and subsequently eliminated Eindhoven, Atletico Madrid, and Paris Saint-Germain in the knockout rounds, did the team fail to realize their full potential. A transfer offensive this summer might help them return to form in the national league.
"Thoroughly Dortmund"
Terzic served as interim coach after the separation from Lucien Favre three years ago, leading Dortmund to the cup win and then becoming the technical director. A year later, he took on the coach position once more after the split from Rose.
The popular and indigenous Menden-born coach has been a BVB fan since his childhood and had the support of Watzke, who encouraged him in a similar situation at the close of 2023. At this time, Dortmund was only in sixth place in the table, but still held the potential to become German champions on the final matchday. However, Dortmund failed to secure a home win against Mainz 05. This missed opportunity apparently still affects him today.
"Edin is completely Dortmund, a sincere, incredibly authentic individual who has always given his all for the BVB. I'm sure we'll meet again. Edin will move on in his own way," said Sport Director Sebastian Kehl.
