Sebastian Kehl and Borussia Dortmund have officially parted ways, effective immediately. The news has sent ripples across social media, with fan reactions to the significant shake-up at BVB.
Following the «Kehl bombshell,» the general sentiment among BVB supporters online appears to be more excitement than melancholy. Simultaneously, the rumor mill is buzzing. Will Markus Krösche from Eintracht Frankfurt be his successor? Could Kehl take over Stefan Kuntz’s position at HSV? And what about Lars Ricken?
Fan Reactions to Sebastian Kehl’s Departure from BVB
Many fans celebrated the decision. One user remarked, «Sebastian Kehl has been dismissed! What fantastic news. He doesn’t have the know-how for a club as big as BVB. More importantly, this signals a definitive desire for change, and that’s exactly right!»
Kehl had often faced criticism from fans and experts regarding his transfer policy. In contrast, Markus Krösche receives considerable praise for his work at Eintracht Frankfurt. Recent rumors suggested a possible departure for Krösche in the summer, and a meeting with BVB coach Niko Kovac had also drawn attention. Could there have been more to it than met the eye?
Another fan emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, «We need planning security; squad planning for the summer must start now, Kehl couldn’t be kept on. I’m very curious who the new person will be. Krösche would be the obvious choice… but are there any other interesting, smaller alternatives?»
The sentiment for a fresh start was strong. A user commented, «The separation from Kehl is the right step. But what we don’t need now as Sporting Director is a puppet, possibly with that ‘insider’s club’ mentality. Krösche, Schicker, and others would only come as Managing Directors for Sport. That’s why, in my opinion, we should also part ways with Ricken.» Another echoed this, suggesting, «It would be a big move for Aki (Watzke) now to dismiss Ricken and let Krösche rebuild everything. Otherwise, the new sporting director will just be Ricken’s right hand.»
Potential Move to HSV and the Leaked News
The news also sparked reactions among Hamburger SV fans, who expressed a mix of hope and anticipation. Speculation about Kehl potentially joining HSV had surfaced earlier in the year, and a clear denial never followed.
One BVB fan humorously mused, «Imagine Kehl excelling in Hamburg while we fall apart next season.»
The timing and manner of the announcement also drew comments. The news of Kehl’s departure leaked in the Sport1 program ‘Doppelpass’ even before BVB’s official statement. It was noted by a user that «Kehl’s BVB exit was announced on ‘Doppelpass,’ and of all times, Katharina Kleinfeldt (Kehl’s partner), usually a co-moderator, wasn’t there.»
Other reactions poked fun at perceived inconsistencies or drew comparisons. One meme-like post remarked, «They misspelled Leverkusen, Trainer, and Hjulmand,» referring to an image with incorrect spellings, implying a lack of focus or professionalism. Another user simply praised, «Carsten Cramer is a doer,» seemingly drawing a contrast with recent events.
Scrutiny on Lars Ricken and Future Outlook
Criticism wasn’t limited to Kehl, with Managing Director Lars Ricken, who shared responsibility for transfer planning, also frequently facing scrutiny. A user stated, «The misunderstanding is Ricken, not Kehl.»
The call for broader changes was evident: «Ricken must also go immediately. Kehl was indeed the first correct step. But I say Ricken is an even bigger problem than Kehl.»
An English-speaking fan encapsulated the sentiment: «This is huge. Kehl, at times, did great business with selling players, but his strategies with squad planning and buying players were inconsistent. This needed to happen. I hope he finds success elsewhere.»
Some fans expressed frustration with the club’s broader decisions: «First they extend contracts with Nmecha and Can (I assume Kehl was heavily involved there), then they barely beat a promoted team 3:2, and then they fire their sporting director – typical Dortmund things.»
The Surprise Element and Other Departures
A particularly intriguing aspect was the suggestion that Kehl might not have been fully prepared for the decision. Just recently, Kehl had been traveling, ostensibly for squad planning, raising questions about whether he was aware of the impending «amicable» separation.
A user highlighted this: «That statement speaks volumes. It seems Kehl wasn’t prepared for what happened today. Otherwise, you don’t make such statements.»
The departure of Sebastian Kehl is not the only personnel discussion among fans. Many also express a desire for changes regarding player Julian Brandt. One fan exulted, «KEHL & BRANDT GONE IN ONE SUMMER YES YES YES.»
The overarching hope is for a genuine shift in direction. «Sebastian Kehl is out at BVB, it’s about time. Thanks, Kehl, but the job wasn’t for him. One can only hope that with this step, they truly want to change something, perhaps a little less of that ‘insider’s club’ mentality? We’ll see what happens.»