Is appreciated by Watzke
©IMAGO
For the time being, Nuri Şahin will remain in office at Borussia Dortmund despite the ongoing sporting misery. The Black and Yellows in the background are apparently taking precautions in the event of an impending leave of absence. As “Bild” reports, Sandro Wagner is on the list as a possible successor. However, the report does not reveal to what extent the 37-year-old has already been discussed internally.
UEFA A license holder Wagner has been working for the German Football Association since July 2023, and after Julian Nagelsmann started as national coach, he became his assistant. The former center forward has a contract until the 2026 World Cup and is considered the upcoming head coach at a larger professional club. Wagner has recently been linked to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart.
“Of course you can feel that he is a great coaching talent. He brings his great qualities to bear very well for us,” said DFB captain Joshua Kimmich before the last international matches of 2024. However, the Bayern professional did not want to reveal exactly what qualities define Wagner. “Not that anyone would think of poaching him,” the 29-year-old added with a smile. Hans-Joachim Watzke, vice-president of the association and managing director at BVB, is considered a fan of Wagner. So far, he is said to be leaning towards staying with the DFB.
For Şahin, the air is getting thinner in Dortmund after the weakest first half of the season since 2014/15. “Because I am a coach, I have complete responsibility. It is completely clear that there is also discussion about the coach. “I can’t excuse myself from responsibility,” said the 36-year-old on the TV channel “Sky” after the worrying 4-2 loss in Kiel on Tuesday evening. Managing director Lars Ricken had previously answered the question whether Şahin was available: “No, he is not.” Sports director Sebastian Kehl emphasized in the “ARD-Sportschau”: “We are not having a coaching discussion.” The players have to get on board touch your own nose.
According to “Bild”, those responsible at Borussia also want to play the upcoming competitive games in Frankfurt on Friday (Bundesliga) and in Bologna on Tuesday (Champions League) with ex-professional Şahin. In addition to Wagner, the paper also brought up the clubless Erik ten Hag (most recently Manchester United) and Roger Schmidt (most recently Benfica Lisbon) as possible candidates for the Westphalians.
