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

Borussia Dortmund have named Nils-Ole Book as their new sporting director on a contract to 2029, succeeding Sebastian Kehl. According to BuLi News, the club moved swiftly after terminating Kehl’s deal on Sunday to confirm the appointment on Monday.

Sporting managing director Lars Ricken considered the 40-year-old the club’s preferred candidate and a very good fit professionally and personally. Book was born in Beckum, about an hour from Dortmund.

A former professional, he played for Rot Weiss Ahlen, MSV Duisburg and SV Wehen Wiesbaden, and won six youth caps for Germany. He retired in the summer of 2017, joined Elversberg as a scout, then became sporting director a year later.

Elversberg climbed from the Regionalliga to the 2. Bundesliga via two promotions, after which Book was elevated to the sporting board in 2023 with greater responsibility. Last season they narrowly lost to 1. FC Heidenheim in the Bundesliga relegation play-off.

He built a reputation as a talent spotter, adding Nick Woltemade, Fisnik Asllani, Younes Ebnoutalib, Robin Fellhauer and Paul Wanner, players who have since established themselves at a higher level.

Offers followed that play-off defeat, but Book stayed, unlike coach Horst Steffen who joined Werder Bremen. In October Borussia Mönchengladbach approached him to replace Roland Virkus as sporting managing director, yet he extended his deal at Elversberg.

When Dortmund asked him to succeed Kehl, he accepted. A major and demanding challenge now awaits at one of Germany’s biggest clubs.

Source: BuLi News