Nuri Sahin Appointed as Head Coach of Borussia Dortmund: A New Era Begins

Borussia Dortmund has officially announced the hiring of former player and ex-Antalyaspor manager Nuri Sahin as their new head coach. Sahin, who boasts a rich history with the club, will sign a three-year deal, marking a significant new chapter for both him and the team.

Sahin, who made 274 appearances for Dortmund and previously served as Edin Terzic’s assistant, expressed his gratitude and excitement about his new role. “It is a great honor for me to be head coach of Borussia Dortmund. I would like to thank everyone in the club’s senior management team for the faith they have shown in me, and I am hugely looking forward to my new role at BVB,” Sahin said in a Dortmund statement. “From day one we will do everything we can and work with energy and passion to make this club as successful as possible.”

Sahin’s Connection to Dortmund
Sahin’s association with Dortmund is long-standing and deeply rooted. He joined the club as a youngster, making his senior team debut at just 16 years and 334 days old, setting a Bundesliga record at the time. His contributions were pivotal during Dortmund’s Bundesliga-winning season in 2010-11, a year in which he was named Bundesliga Player of the Season.

Despite a promising move to Real Madrid for an $11 million fee, Sahin’s career faced challenges due to injuries. His subsequent stints included playing for Liverpool, Feyenoord, Werder Bremen, and Antalyaspor, where he eventually retired. Throughout his career, Sahin has been regarded as one of the best Turkish midfielders of all time.

Transition to Coaching
Upon retiring, Sahin quickly transitioned to a managerial role with Antalyaspor, where he made a significant impact by leading the team on an impressive unbeaten run, rescuing them from relegation in the Turkish top flight. His success in Turkey showcased his potential as a coach, leading to his return to Dortmund in an assistant role.

A Period of Change at Dortmund

Sahin’s appointment comes during a period of change for Dortmund. The club recently experienced the sudden resignation of manager Edin Terzic and defender Mats Hummels. Hummels, in an interview with German newspaper Bild, expressed his discontent with Dortmund’s style of play, leading to a “violent” confrontation with Terzic before the Champions League final, which Dortmund lost 2-0 to Real Madrid.

Sahin’s Coaching Philosophy

Sahin brings a breath of fresh air to a Dortmund side that finished outside of the top four for the first time since 2015. His coaching philosophy combines dynamic and entertaining football with high pressing, drawing inspiration from former managers like Jürgen Klopp and Terzic, along with his own unique ideas.

“Jürgen Klopp had the most influence on my career. First, when I was a player – including when we won the league title in 2011 – but also when I became a coach,” Sahin said in a recent interview. “He always saw the human being first and then the football player. You felt it, from player number one to squad player number 25. Young player or old player, it didn’t matter to him.”

Looking Ahead
Dortmund’s future looks promising under Sahin’s leadership. The club is reportedly targeting Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy, who scored 30 goals in 30 appearances, and a host of defensive prospects, including Juventus wunderkind Dean Huijsen and Porto’s Alan Varela. With Mats Hummels set to depart and ongoing fitness issues with Niklas Süle, bolstering the defense is a priority.

Guirassy has expressed openness to joining Dortmund, telling Sky Sports, “It’s a very big club. But nothing is advanced, I’m still under contract at VfB Stuttgart. I was with the national team, and now it’s time for vacation. We’ll know what will happen in a few weeks.”

With Sahin at the helm, Dortmund is set to embark on a new era filled with energy, passion, and a commitment to returning to the top of the Bundesliga. The Yellow Wall can look forward to an exciting and competitive season ahead