Borussia Dortmund confirm sudden Kehl exit | OneFootball

The announcement comes just one day after Dortmund’s 3-2 victory over Hamburger SV, marking a sudden and unexpected change behind the scenes. According to the club, the decision was reached unanimously between Kehl and the BVB hierarchy during discussions on Sunday.

Kehl has held several key roles at Dortmund over the years. After returning to the club in 2018 as head of the professional players department, he spent four years in the position and was part of the setup that secured the DFB-Pokal in 2021. He was then appointed sporting director in the summer of 2022, overseeing a period that included Dortmund’s run to the UEFA Champions League Final 2024.

Sporting director Lars Ricken explained the reasoning behind the decision:

“In a very open discussion, Sebastian Kehl, Carsten Cramer and I came to the shared conclusion that the summer is the right time for changes. To allow both sides to prepare, we mutually agreed to an immediate termination of Sebastian’s contract.

“Sebastian and I go back a long way. We played together for Borussia Dortmund and won the German championship in 2002. He has made an enormous contribution to this club, and we are very grateful for his commitment.”

Kehl also released a heartfelt statement following the announcement, bringing an end to a long association with the club:

“Borussia Dortmund has been a part of my life for half of my life, and I have an extremely strong connection to this great club. Nevertheless, we have jointly come to the conclusion that it is time to move forward – both for BVB and for me.

“I owe Borussia Dortmund a great deal and am proud to have been part of the club for around 24 years. During this time, I experienced so many incredible moments with the team, staff and fans. It will always make me proud to be part of the club’s history.

“The groundwork has been laid, and I wish the club all the very best in its restructuring and continued success. Borussia Dortmund, the stadium and the South Stand will always hold a special place in my heart. It has been an honour.”