Erik ten Hag edges closer to first job since Man Utd exit after manager sacked

Borussia Dortmund have sacked Nuri Sahin following their Champions League loss to Bologna on Tuesday night - with Erik ten Hag emerging as a favourite for the job.

It leaves them 13th in the Champions League, which is still good enough to qualify for the knockouts, but their form has been on the decline for weeks. Currently they sit 10th in the Bundesliga, 20 points behind the leaders Bayern Munich, and Sahin has now paid the price.

The 36-year-old took over the Dortmund job in the summer when Edin Terzic stepped down after leading the side to the Champions League final last term. Sahin said in a statement: “Unfortunately, we have not managed to live up to Borussia Dortmund’s sporting ambitions this season. I wish this special club all the best.”

The Dortmund sporting director, Lars Ricken, said they had “lost faith in being able to achieve our sporting goals” under Sahin. “This decision hurts me personally,” Ricken said, “but it was unavoidable after the game in Bologna.”

Sahin's exit could now open the door for ex-Manchester United boss Ten Hag to return to management. He had reportedly been offering his expertise for weeks. The Dutchman was said to be working as a 'shadow coach' after he was axed by the Red Devils.

Sky Germany report that Ten Hag has a 'very good' relationship with Dortmund advisor and former captain Matthias Sammer. That has only added fuel to talk he could replace Sahin.

Ten Hag met Sammer during his previous stint in Germany. The former Ajax coach was in charge of Bayern Munich's B side when Pep Guardiola was at the club.

Image: PA) PA)

Sahin came through the ranks as a player at Dortmund and made more than 250 appearances for the club across two spells. Before he was appointed as the Dortmund to coach he spent more than two years as the manager of the Turkish team Antalyaspor, but hasn't been able to take the German side forward.

Sahin won just 12 of his 27 games in charge, losing 11. Dortmund had recently been subjected to some embarrassing defeats, including a 4-2 reverse at Holstein Kiel, who sit in the Bundesliga's relegation zone.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

Click here to read article