Borussia Dortmund is lagging behind its own demands in the Bundesliga. BVB sports director Sebastian Kehl still doesn’t want to know anything about a coaching discussion. Instead, he sees the players as having a duty.
“It is clear that things were restless in the winter. We then decided together that we would continue on this path. We are not having a coaching discussion,” said the 44-year-old on Sunday in “Doppelpass” on “Sport1”.
Instead, the ex-Westphalia captain took the players to task. “Everyone can play football better. Because it’s strange when I feel like playing in the Champions League and then experience such fluctuations in the Bundesliga,” he denounced.
A lack of consistency was the problem, especially in the first half of the season, said Kehl. Even during the home defeat against 1899 Hoffenheim (2:3) last weekend, he had the feeling that “the plug was pulled in the second half.”
In view of the disappointing season, Kehl did not relieve the coaching staff of their responsibility. The first reactions in this regard were implemented in the winter. Sven Bender and Nuri Sahin have been strengthening Edin Terzic’s staff since January.
No power struggle between Terzic and Kehl at BVB
At the same time, the new assistant coaches are not an indication of a lack of trust in the main trainer. “There are clear responsibilities. Edin is the boss in the end, there are no discussions,” says Kehl. “It wasn’t the intention to prepare anything. But of course you think things through, just like you do in the squad.”
Kehl also vehemently rejected speculation about a power struggle between him and Terzic. Last summer there were reportedly different opinions surrounding the transfer of Edson Álvarez. In the end, Terzic allegedly prevailed and the Mexican did not move to Dortmund.
“We make joint decisions at Borussia Dortmund,” Kehl now made clear. “If you sign a player of a certain size, then everyone has to be convinced. There are different opinions. I won’t let it drive a wedge between me and the coach.”