Sky Germany has uncovered significant tensions within Borussia Dortmund, revealing that sporting director Sebastian Kehl and scout Sven Mislintat are embroiled in a fierce power struggle that could impact the club’s future. This conflict is not merely a personal dispute; it symbolizes deeper issues within the club’s management structure and strategic direction. The dynamics of this struggle could affect key decisions regarding player acquisitions, team performance, and overall club stability, raising concerns among fans and stakeholders alike.

The core of this power struggle lies in Mislintat’s ambition to take over Kehl’s current position, which has led to a breakdown in their professional relationship. Upon Mislintat’s return to the club, there were high hopes that his expertise and strategic vision would foster success for Borussia Dortmund. However, the ongoing friction between the two has resulted in limited collaboration, which ultimately hampers the club’s ability to function effectively. The contrasting approaches to player management and recruitment exacerbate the situation, leaving fans concerned about the club’s prospects.

When it comes to the transfer strategy, Kehl and Mislintat hold starkly different opinions. In the previous summer transfer window, Mislintat championed the signings of Waldemar Anton and Pascal Groß, while Kehl advocated for the arrivals of Yan Couto and Maximilian Beier. The only instance where they found common ground was in their mutual agreement on signing Serhou Guirassy. Such discrepancies in transfer targets highlight the disunity within the club’s leadership and raise questions about the effectiveness of their combined approach to building a competitive squad.

Mislintat’s disputes aren’t limited to just Kehl; he has also clashed with other key figures at the club. For instance, he was keen on bringing Rayan Cherki to Borussia Dortmund, a move that Nuri Şahin opposed. Furthermore, Mislintat engaged in negotiations for Yakuba Minteh without Kehl’s knowledge, leading to Minteh’s eventual transfer to Brighton. Such actions raise concerns about the overall coherence of the club’s recruitment strategy and the potential for misalignment in the club’s vision moving forward.

As the sporting director, Kehl finds himself in a precarious position, particularly since he was not chosen as the successor to Hans-Joachim Watzke, with Lars Ricken stepping into that role instead. This shift has left Kehl feeling vulnerable, especially after losing key allies like Slaven Stanic and Eduard Graf, both of whom supported his vision for the team. As a result, Kehl faces increasing challenges in advocating for his strategies and ideas, which undermines his ability to influence critical decisions affecting the future of Borussia Dortmund.

This ongoing power struggle has led to a situation where Kehl’s proposals are frequently dismissed. For instance, he previously attempted to extend Mats Hummels‘ contract and sought to secure Dean Huijsen from Juventus for €15 million, both of which were ultimately rejected in favor of Anton. This pattern is reminiscent of 18 months ago when Kehl suggested signing Edson Alvarez, but instead, Emre Can was made captain. These incidents reflect the broader issues of governance and decision-making at Borussia Dortmund, indicating a need for a unified vision to steer the club back on the path to success.

GGFN | Jack Meenan