SZ podcast on the Kehl and Book decisions: “BVB shows more courage” | OneFootball

Of course, Süddeutsche Zeitung is talking about the latest personnel changes at Borussia Dortmund with BVB expert Freddie Röckenhaus — publicly on the podcast “Und nun zum Sport”. Even if, as is currently the case, Röckenhaus is in Australia. This is what the informed voice has to say about Kehl’s departure and the new man, Nils-Ole Book.

First of all, for those with a certain connection to the inner workings of the club, it comes as no surprise that Sebastian Kehl is being let go. There had already been situations beforehand in which this seemed likely. Also when Ricken was preferred over Kehl, after which the latter did not walk away but accepted the new constellation — something for which he deserves a lot of credit.

Kehl will continue to be respected even after this split, following 24 years as a player and official at Borussia Dortmund. However, Kehl did not fill the role of sporting director quite as unquestionably well as he did that of player. Röckenhaus bases this less on his transfer record. From the outside, after all, it is usually hard to judge how large a role the various BVB decision-makers actually played in bringing transfers about.

But after taking on the job as a senior executive, Kehl noticeably changed and moved away from his formerly grounded manner. He had become increasingly isolated not only in relation to leading figures such as Watzke, Cramer and Ricken. He was also not necessarily seen as someone who won people over among other employees. However, his somewhat more reserved manner could suit HSV well in the future.

Photo: IMAGO

According to SZ, Ricken’s future is not certain either

At the SZ, there is not yet all that much concrete information to offer about Kehl’s already installed successor Nils-Ole Book. One thing that is credible in any case, however, is that he has been a BVB fan all his life. After all, he comes from Beckum, a classic Borussia Dortmund catchment area.

More interesting are Röckenhaus’ remarks about Lars Ricken, who should by no means be certain of receiving a contract extension as managing director for sport. As outstanding as his work as head of youth development was, he has been strikingly quiet in public in his new role. So quiet, in fact, that most recently even marketing expert Carsten Cramer felt compelled to comment on the assessment of BVB’s sporting performances. So another change may well be on the horizon.

In any case, what is to be welcomed about the decision on Kehl is that BVB now appears to be showing more courage in personnel matters than in the past, when the club was all too happy to rely on people from within its own ranks.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.