Borussia Dortmund's Management Tension Uncovers a Departure
Borussia Dortmund's management team is experiencing a significant divide, with recent developments pointing towards the departure of a close confidant of sports director Sebastian Kehl (43). Accusations of criticisms and foul insults between sporting coach Edin Terzic (41) and confidant Slaven Stanic (49, Sports Coordinator) have reached boiling points.
Tensions Rise in Borussia Dortmund
The rift within Borussia Dortmund's management is becoming increasingly evident. Two factions have emerged, with opposing views and allegiances. On one side, chairman Hans-Joachim Watzke (64), coach Terzic, and advisor Matthias Sammer (56) have united their unwavering support for Terzic.
In the other corner, Kehl and assistants Stanic and Daniel Beiderbeck (Head of Projects and Development) have found themselves at odds with the stronger trio.
The Stadium Incident and its Consequences
The source of the latest drama is allegedly a heated exchange between Terzic and Stanic in the stadium's Puma box after a match. An acquaintance of Terzic reported the incident to management, which has only served to fuel the existing accusations against Stanic.
The primary accusation puts the spotlight on Stanic's role as a liaison between the management and the team. Critics claim that he fails to fulfill his responsibilities, interfering excessively in team decisions instead.
Looming Separation
Watzke has strong reservations about Stanic's performance and relationship with Terzic, leading to his potential dismissal. Rumors suggest that a separation of the two will be imminent before Christmas and the winter training camp in Marbella (January 6-14).
The alliance between Kehl, Stanic, and Beiderbec was initially formed as a compromise to account for Watzke's respect for Terzic. Kehl lobbied the management to provide funding for new assistants, which resulted in the hiring of both Daniel Beiderbeck (previously a management consultant at McKinsey) and Stanic (who joined briefly after summer).
Controversial Decisions and Disagreements
The quest for Edson Alvarez's transfer (26, Ajax) had already led to disagreements within the management, while appointing Emre Can (29) as captain did not please everyone in the leadership.
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Enrichment Insights
Despite the recent turmoil, former technical director Sven Mislintat was dismissed in February 2025. The conflict arose due to internal disagreements, particularly over roles and responsibilities. Hans-Joachim Watzke, recognizing the need for better synergy, highlighted the challenges of managing strong personalities in football. Dortmund, currently languishing in 11th place in the Bundesliga, is now focused on restoring harmony and improving performance under new leadership.
