Borussia Dortmund have sacked Nuri Sahin after their 2-1 defeat to Bologna in the Champions League – with former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag a contender to fill the hotseat.
Borussia Dortmund Sack Nuri Sahin
German side Borussia Dortmund confirmed the sacking of Nuri Sahin on Wednesday morning – with fans now wondering whether Erik ten Hag could be the man to take the job.
The Bundesliga giants are struggling domestically as they sit tenth in the standings – 20 points off Bayern Munich after just 18 games.
Their 2-1 defeat to Bologna leaves them 13th in the Champions League table which would give them a spot in the play-offs.
Borussia Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken told the club’s website: “We appreciate Nuri Sahin and his work very much, wished for a long co-operation and hoped until the end that we would achieve the sporting turnaround together.
“After four defeats in a row, due to only one win from the last nine games and currently tenth in the Bundesliga, we have unfortunately lost faith in being able to achieve our sporting goals in the current constellation.
“This decision also hurts me personally, but it was unavoidable after the game in Bologna.”
Borussia Dortmund and Nuri Sahin are parting ways with immediate effect.
BVB has dismissed its head coach following the disappointing 2:1 defeat in the UEFA Champions League at FC Bologna on Tuesday evening. pic.twitter.com/0NlZfWBNHd
— Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) January 22, 2025
Erik Ten Hag In Contention To Take Job
Nuri Sahin’s departure could open the door for Erik ten Hag to take over the Borussia Dortmund job.
Last week, reports in Germany claimed that the Dutchman had been working as a ‘shadow coach’ at the Bundesliga side.
Ten Hag was at the Westfalenstadion earlier this month to watch Dortmund’s 3-2 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.
Sky Germany report that Ten Hag has a ‘very good’ relationship with Dortmund advisor and former captain Matthias Sammer. This added fuel to talk that he could replace Sahin in recent week.
Ten Hag met Sammer during his previous stint in Germany when he was in charge of Bayern Munich’s B side when Pep Guardiola led the first team.
Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg reported earlier this week that Ten Hag would demand a long-term contract. Additionally, his severance pay with Manchester United would have to be settled.
Could A Potential Ten Hag Appointment Affect Rashford Joining Dortmund?
Should Borussia Dortmund appoint Erik ten Hag, questions would be asked over whether it could affect Marcus Rashford joining the Bundesliga side.
It has been reported this month that the German side are interested in signing Rashford on loan.
Rashford admitted that he is ready for a new challenge after his struggles at Manchester United over recent seasons.
Dortmund seems the ideal place for the 27-year-old to revive his career. Jadon Sancho did just that during a loan spell at the German club last season.
Rashford enjoyed the best season of his career under Ten Hag in 2022-23 scoring 30 goals. However, this was followed by a very poor campaign in 2023-24 that produced just eight goals.
That pair clashed after the player called in sick for training last January but had actually been partying in Belfast. This led to Ten Hag dropping him for an FA Cup game.
Therefore any potential reunion between Ten Hag and Rashford at Borussia Dortmund could be an awkward one.
