Who is Nils-Ole Book, Borussia Dortmund's new sporting director? | OneFootball

After terminating Sebastian Kehl’s contract as sporting director on Sunday, Borussia Dortmund acted swiftly to appoint his successor on Monday, bringing in Nils-Ole Book from Elversberg.

Book, who has signed a contract until 2029, was described by BVB sporting managing director Lars Ricken as the club’s “preferred candidate”, with the 40-year-old seen as a “very good fit” both professionally and personally. But who is Nils-Ole Book?

From scout to sporting managing director

Born in Beckum, roughly an hour's drive from Dortmund, Book used to be a professional footballer himself, representing Rot Weiss Ahlen, MSV Duisburg and SV Wehen Wiesbaden and earning six caps for Germany at youth level.

After ending his playing career in the summer of 2017, he joined Elversberg as a scout and was promoted to sporting director just one year later.

Following Elversberg’s rise from the Regionalliga to the 2. Bundesliga via two promotions, Book was further elevated to sporting board member in 2023, giving him an ever bigger responsibility.

Last season, Elversberg came close to taking another remarkable step forward, but narrowly lost to 1. FC Heidenheim in the Bundesliga relegation play-off.

An eye for talent

During his time at Elversberg, Book built a reputation as a “talent spotter” through signings such as Nick Woltemade, Fisnik Asllani, Younes Ebnoutalib, Robin Fellhauer and Paul Wanner, who have all since established themselves at a higher level.

After Elversberg’s play-off defeat to Heidenheim, Book received offers to leave, but – unlike coach Horst Steffen, who joined Werder Bremen – he chose to stay.

The rumours persisted, however, and when Borussia Mönchengladbach were looking to replace Roland Virkus as sporting managing director in October, they also approached Book. Yet he again opted to remain at Elversberg and even extended his contract.

However, when Borussia Dortmund came calling to ask whether he would be willing to succeed Kehl, Book could not resist – and a major and highly demanding challenge now awaits him at one of Germany’s biggest clubs.