City, March 22: Borussia Dortmund has announced the mutual termination of its contract with Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl, effective immediately. The Bundesliga club confirmed this decision on Sunday following discussions between the management and Kehl.
Kehl has been associated with Dortmund in various roles since 2018, serving as the head of the licensed players department for four years and being part of the team that won the DFB-Pokal in 2021. He became the Sporting Director in 2022, during which time Dortmund consistently qualified for the UEFA Champions League and reached the finals in 2024.
Lars Ricken, Managing Director of Borussia Dortmund, stated that there was no conflict between the parties, emphasizing that the decision was reached by mutual agreement. “In a very open conversation, Sebastian Kehl, Carsten Kramer, and I came to the shared conclusion that this summer season is the right time for change. To give both parties a chance to prepare, we have mutually agreed to terminate Sebastian’s role immediately. Sebastian and I have a long history. Not only did we play together for Borussia Dortmund, but we also won the German championship together in 2002. Sebastian has made tremendous contributions to our club, and we are very grateful for his great dedication,” he said in a club statement.
As a player, Kehl spent 13 years at Borussia Dortmund, winning three Bundesliga titles and achieving a domestic double in 2012. Overall, he has been involved in 748 matches for the club in various capacities.
Reacting to the decision, Kehl expressed his deep emotional connection with the club, stating that he feels it is the right time for both sides to move on. “I have spent more than half of my life at Borussia Dortmund, and I feel a profound connection to this great club. However, we have both come to the conclusion that it is time for our paths to diverge. This is right for both Borussia Dortmund and me. Lars, Carsten, and I reached this conclusion after a positive conversation today. I am very grateful to Borussia Dortmund and proud to have been part of this family for nearly 24 years,” he said.
He added, “During this time, I have achieved many tremendous successes with the club, its staff, and its wonderful fans, and I will always take pride in being part of the club’s history. The foundation has been laid here. I wish the club all the best for its new direction and continued success. Borussia Dortmund, its magnificent stadium, and the Südtribüne will always hold a special place in my heart. It has been an honor for me.”