Erik ten Hagdismissed by Manchester United on October 28, 2024, after a bad start to Premier League season, has since been linked with several clubs across Europe. As the second half of the 2024-25 season unfolds, reports suggest Ten Hag is now the leading candidate to replace the head coach of a Champions League contender.
One of Europe’s top clubs struggling this season is Borussia Dortmund. After appointing former players Nuri Sahin as head coach in June 2024, the team has failed to live up to expectations and has faced increasing pressure due to inconsistent results and underwhelming performances.
Sahin replaced Champions League finalist Edin Terzicbut his tenure has been rocky. Dortmund are currently sitting 10th in the Bundesligawith a record of 12 wins, 4 drawsand 10 losses in 26 matches. Recent promotion defeats, including a 4-2 drubbing by the newly promoted Holstein Kiel and a 2-0 loss against Eintracht Frankfurthas left the Turkish coach on edge.
According to Sky Sports Germany, Erik ten Hag is seen as the top candidate to replace Nuri Sahin at Borussia Dortmund. Reports suggest that for the next Champions League game on Tuesday against Bolognaif the Turkish manager cannot return to Germany with a positive result, he will be on his way outleaving the coaching position free for the Dutchman’s arrival.
The Dutchman has been closely linked with the club in recent months, often attends games at Signal Iduna Park. In addition, Ten Hag enjoys a strong relationship with Mathias Sammeran adviser to Dortmund’s board, further strengthening his chances of landing the role.
Ten Hag’s background in German football
Should Ten Hag replace Sahin as Borussia Dortmund’s coach, it would mark his first time coaching a Bundesliga team, but not a German one. In addition to coaching teams in the Netherlands (Go Ahead Eagles, FC Utrecht and Ajax) and in England (Manchester United), Ten Hag had a two-year employment at Bayern Munich II.
Between 2013 and 2015, Ten Hag coached Bayern Munich II in the Regionalliga Bayern (Germany’s fourth division)working next door Pep Guardiolawho led the senior team. His arrival in Bavaria was facilitated by Mathias Sammer, who later considered Ten Hag for Germany’s U-21 role as team coach.
Borussia Dortmund’s season has been marred by setbacks. They were eliminated in the second round of the DFB-Pokal by Wolfsburg and are currently three points behind European qualification places in the Bundesliga. But their Champions League campaign remains a bright spot. Meeting 9th in the table with 12 points from six games, Dortmund still have a chance to make a significant impact in Europe—a potential draw for Ten Hag if he takes on the role.
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