Recent reports concerning Borussia Dortmund focus on the uncertain future of attacking player Karim Adeyemi and CEO Lars Ricken’s response to harsh criticism from Lothar Matthäus.
Adeyemi Keeps BVB Future Open: «You Never Know What the Future Holds»
Although Karim Adeyemi is contractually bound to Borussia Dortmund until 2027 and the club is reportedly interested in an early contract extension, the forward frequently features in transfer speculation.
Following the match against VfB Stuttgart, Adeyemi commented on his future prospects. He emphasized: ‘My main focus is to perform well in every game and assist the team. What comes after that, time will tell. The future is uncertain. I feel comfortable here, but generally, I feel comfortable everywhere.’
His remark about feeling «comfortable everywhere» is likely to spark speculation in Dortmund, as he did not explicitly commit to staying. At the same time, he clarified to Sport1 that he is not actively seeking a departure but is merely evaluating his options.
Following the fortunate 2-0 victory against VfB Stuttgart, Sporting Director Lars Ricken refuted the notion of a public tug-of-war over Adeyemi. He affirmed: ‘This is not a poker game, but rather normal, confidential discussions where few details leak to the public, occasionally leading to misinformation, as seen recently with Nico Schlotterbeck. Discussions with Karim are ongoing.’
Ricken emphasized the desire for a timely decision: ‘Neither the players nor we want an unnecessary delay. We absolutely want to avoid such a scenario and not wait until after a World Cup. Decisions must be made, even if we cannot yet name precise timelines.’
Lars Ricken Defends Against Matthäus’ Criticism of Kehl’s Departure
Former national player Lothar Matthäus criticized BVB’s handling of Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl’s departure on Sky. He suggested that if discussions occurred behind Kehl’s back, it amounted to a «delaying tactic.» Matthäus noted that the search for a successor had been ongoing for over two months, with initial contact made in late January and multiple subsequent meetings, indicating a deliberate approach.
Ole Book, who succeeded Kehl, confirmed during his introductory press conference that initial discussions with BVB had already taken place in January.
In response to Matthäus’ accusations, Lars Ricken defended the decision to part ways with Kehl. He affirmed that the process, despite early contact with Book, was ‘entirely proper and professional.’
Ricken, however, admitted that collaboration within the management had not always been harmonious recently, with occasional «friction.» He explained the necessity of an «external impulse» and emphasized that the timely separation was crucial to grant the new sporting director full control over squad planning for the upcoming season.
Regarding accusations of secrecy, Ricken responded calmly: ‘As a CEO, it’s part of the job to be prepared for all eventualities.’ He stressed that Kehl was still leaving the club ‘through the front door.’ Whether there would be a grand farewell match or a ‘lively summer celebration’ for him was entirely Kehl’s decision, as ‘the door remains open.’
Borussia Dortmund: Upcoming Fixtures
Borussia Dortmund’s upcoming Bundesliga fixtures are scheduled as follows:
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| April 11, 3:30 PM | BVB vs. Bayer Leverkusen (Bundesliga) |
| April 18, 3:30 PM | TSG Hoffenheim vs. BVB (Bundesliga) |
| April 26, 5:30 PM | BVB vs. SC Freiburg (Bundesliga) |
| May 3, 5:30 PM | Borussia Mönchengladbach vs. BVB (Bundesliga) |