Nuri Sahin sacked as Borussia Dortmund coach, Erik ten Hag linked to vacant role

Borussia Dortmund have sacked head coach Nuri Sahin after the 2-1 Champions League defeat at Bologna on Tuesday night.

The loss against Bologna was Dortmund’s forth successive matches in all competitions since the winter break and it proves to be Sahin’s last match in charge.

Defeat to Bologna was also their third loss in this season’s Champions League, meaning last season’s runners-up need a result against Shakhtar Donetsk in their final league phase game to have the chance to automatically reach the knockouts.

A run of three domestic defeats to start 2025 has put them 10th in the Bundesliga, seven points outside the top four and therefore endangering their chances of a return to the Champions League next term.

Nuri Sahin looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between FC Augsburg and Borussia Dortmund at WWK-Arena on October 26, 2024 in Augsburg, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)

“We value Nuri Sahin and his work very much, we hoped for a long-term collaboration and until the end we had hoped that we could achieve a sporting turnaround together,” said Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken.

“This decision hurts me personally, but it was unavoidable after the game in Bologna.”

Sahin, 36, who had two stints at the club as a player, said: “Unfortunately, we have not managed to live up to Borussia Dortmund’s sporting ambitions this season.

“I wish this special club all the best.”

Sahin was appointed Dortmund boss in June 2024 as a replacement for Edin Terzic, who left the club following their Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.

Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been linked with the vacant role with Dortmund eager to find a new manager as soon as possible.