Borussia Dortmund Extends Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl's Contract

Borussia Dortmund has extended the contract of sporting director Sebastian Kehl until 2027, securing his long-term commitment to the club.

Borussia Dortmund has secured the long-term commitment of its sporting director, Sebastian Kehl, extending his contract until 2027. The German Bundesliga club made the announcement on Thursday, highlighting Kehl's enduring connection to the team.

Kehl, 44, has a storied history with Dortmund, having played for the club between 2002 and 2015. During his tenure as a player, he won three league titles and captained the side. His experience and dedication have made him an integral part of the team's leadership.

Upon signing the contract extension, Kehl expressed his enthusiasm for continuing to work with the club. "“I am delighted to be able to continue working for this great club,” he said in a statement. Kehl also emphasized the club's lofty ambitions, stating, “We have great ambitions.”

The contract extension aligns with Dortmund's strategy of appointing former players to leadership roles. Kehl works in tandem with Lars Ricken, the club's managing director, who was born in Dortmund and scored the winning goal in the 1997 Champions League final.

Sebastian Kehl's departure from Borussia Dortmund had been anticipated since 2024, when Lars Ricken, formerly the academy director, was promoted to a position above him.

🎙️ „Ich lebe diesen Verein und weiß, wie viel dieser Klub den Menschen in der Region bedeutet.“

Sportdirektor Sebastian #Kehl verlängert bis 2027 beim #BVB! Über die Beweggründe spricht er mit uns im Interview. 🗯️

Hier geht’s lang:
➡️ https://t.co/QIQ5CHY4kW pic.twitter.com/oRgNh6CYrc

— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) January 9, 2025

Current coach Nuri Sahin has strong ties to Dortmund, having progressed through the club's youth ranks and gone on to play 274 games for the team.

Kehl's tenure as sporting director, which began in 2022, was marked by significant disappointments, including the team's loss to Real Madrid in the 2024 Champions League final and their narrow miss of the 2022-2023 Bundesliga title, which was decided by goal difference.