Wolfsburg’s Ralf Kellermann named BVB women’s sporting director | OneFootball

This is what you call a transfer coup. Ralf Kellermann (57) will become Dortmund's new sporting director for women's football. He signed a contract with BVB until June 30, 2029. The appointment of the director for professional football at VfL Wolfsburg underscores the ambitions of the regional league club.

Kellermann will take up his new position on July 1, 2026. Borussia officially announced this on Thursday (March 12) officially. The Duisburg native is the most successful manager in women's football over the past twenty years. With VfL, he celebrated a series of successes – initially as a coach, then as sporting director and director of professional football.

Under Kellermann's leadership, the "Wölfinnen" won the Champions League title twice (2013, 2014). In addition to seven German championships, the Green-Whites celebrated winning the DFB-Pokal eleven times. In February, he announced his departure from the car city at the end of the season. "The decisive factor was the desire to take on a new challenge once again," he explained his decision not to extend his contract, which expires on June 30, 2026.

"Ralf Kellermann's resume is filled with extraordinary successes – both as a coach and as a sporting director," Dortmund's managing director Svenja Schlenker (42) is delighted with the prominent new addition. "He was our absolute preferred solution for the position of sporting director because he not only has an extremely large network but also a very good sense for squad composition and development. Ralf will shape and further develop our sporting direction in the coming years."

The Goal is the Bundesliga

During his time in Wolfsburg, Kellermann signed top stars like Alexandra Popp (34), Almuth Schult (35), Nadine Keßler (37), Pernille Harder (33), as well as Jule Brand (23) and Lena Oberdorf (24). The 57-year-old also set new standards in the club's infrastructure. He professionalized the coaching team, expanded training facilities, and improved medical care. He is likely to have similar goals in his new role at BVB.

"Borussia Dortmund is exactly the challenge I am eager to take on," emphasizes Kellermann. "BVB's commitment to ambitiously promoting and strengthening women's football impressed me immediately. An excellent foundation has already been laid here in recent years. I look forward to building and strategically shaping something at such a large, traditional club."

Photo: Getty Images

BVB's goal is the Bundesliga. Currently, the Dortmund women are playing in the third division. They are currently in second place in the Regionalliga West, six points behind 1. FC Köln II, but have played one game less.

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