Borussia Dortmund is causing its fans a lot of headaches and worries these days. Coach Nuri Sahin is the subject of almost daily debate.
Following disappointments in the Bundesliga and the Champions League, Borussia Dortmund has now suffered a bitter cup exit in Dortmund. However, there will be no consequences for the time being.
Sahin’s job as coach is not in jeopardy after the cup exit at VfL Wolfsburg. “We will stick together. We will get through this together,” said sporting director Sebastian Kehl after the 0-1 defeat in the 117th minute of extra time.
When asked what this second-round exit would mean for Sahin, Kehl said: “Nothing!” He added that this was “not a situation that Borussia Dortmund has not already mastered in the past.”
After expressing his loyalty to Sahin, Kehl continued: ”The mood in the dressing room was very disappointed and very quiet. The team took the task in hand really well from the first minute, controlled the game, and created chances to score. In the end, we’re out, and that’s bitter. Everyone wanted it, and some went above and beyond. I can’t blame the team. It’s also clear that we’re not satisfied with the overall situation. We have to stick together and work hard – just like we tried to do in Wolfsburg. We’re falling short of our expectations. But we’ll get through this together.”
Sahin himself also faced questions from reporters after the game and appeared on both ARD and Sky. He seemed, understandably, very down and just sad.
The 36-year-old BVB coach summed up the DFB Cup exit: “The guys are extremely disappointed. A pep talk in the locker room wouldn’t do any good right now. We have to process this first. The disappointment is huge for me and the players. We really wanted to go to the final in Berlin. But it feels like everything is coming together. Things aren’t going well on the pitch. It hurts a lot right now, but we have to get up again tomorrow morning.”
Regarding the discussions about his position as coach, the former BVB, Real Madrid, and Liverpool professional said: “It’s not about me. It’s about the club, and I have a responsibility as coach.”