BVB terminate Kehl contract: multi-million pay-off revealed | OneFootball

After more than 24 years, the shared journey of Sebastian Kehl and Borussia Dortmund is finally coming to an end. The former BVB sporting director is reportedly set to receive compensation worth millions and has already been linked with several clubs.

Borussia Dortmund and Sebastian Kehl are officially parting ways for good. As BILD reports, both sides have agreed to terminate the contract, which originally ran until 2027. The former sporting director is expected to receive severance pay of around €1.5 million.

BVB had already ended its collaboration with the 46-year-old at the end of March. Now the last remaining formality has also been settled. After more than two decades at the club, Kehl is now officially free to take on a new role. According to Sky, Tottenham Hotspur remain in the frame as a possible next employer. According to BILD, Werder Bremen, VfL Wolfsburg, and Hamburger SV are also closely monitoring the situation.

The split came as a surprise to many observers. Kehl had once made his mark on the club as a player, winning three German championships with Dortmund and being part of the double-winning team in 2012. After his playing career, he worked for BVB from 2018 onward in an executive role, first as head of the licensed player department and later as sporting director.

BVB says farewell to Sebastian Kehl

Behind the scenes, however, there had reportedly been differences for some time. According to multiple reports, the relationship deteriorated in particular after Hans-Joachim Watzke decided to appoint Lars Ricken as managing director. Kehl himself had ambitions for the post. In the months that followed, the working relationship between Ricken and Kehl is said to have become increasingly difficult.

Photo: IMAGO

Outwardly, however, both sides tried to strike a conciliatory tone. Ricken said in March: “In a very open conversation, Sebastian Kehl, Carsten Cramer and I came to the shared conviction that summer is the right time for changes.” At the same time, he stressed: “Sebastian has rendered outstanding service to our club, and we are very grateful for his great commitment.”

Kehl himself also described it as a mutual decision. They had come to the conclusion “that it is time to go our separate ways.” On Friday evening, the long-serving former BVB professional will be officially bid farewell in front of the fans at Signal Iduna Park before the final home game of the season against Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday evening (8:30 p.m.).

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