Borussia Dortmund, a German team, has announced that manager Edin Terzic has left the organisation of his own free will.
The announcement was made not long after rumours surfaced that Terzic and Mats Hummels had a heated altercation before the Champions League final.
A statement from Dortmund on Thursday read: “Borussia Dortmund and coach Edin Terzic are going their separate ways.
“The 41-year-old, who won the DFB Cup with BVB in 2021, finished runner-up in 2023 and reached the Champions League final in 2024, asked BVB to terminate his contract immediately. Borussia Dortmund agreed to the request after a joint discussion.”
In a message to supporters, Terzic said: “Dear Borussia fans, even though it is really hurting me right now, I would like to tell you that I will be leaving BVB today. It was a huge honour to be able to lead this great club to a DFB Cup victory and most recently to a Champions League final.
“I asked those responsible for a meeting after our final at Wembley because after ten years at BVB, including five years on the coaching team and two and a half years as head coach.
“I feel that the upcoming new start should be accompanied by a new man on the sidelines. Everyone who knows me knows that during this decision-making process of the past few weeks, two hearts have been beating in my chest.
“But even after intensive discussions, my basic feeling has not changed. I always wish Borussia Dortmund only the very best and don’t say goodbye, but see you again. Hey, BVB!”
At Wembley, Dortmund took on Real Madrid in the Champions League final.
Hummels attacked his manager’s strategies for their underwhelming Bundesliga season a few days prior to the game.
Terzic was furious with Hummels for his remarks, and the two got into a violent argument that got “so heated that the club discussed personal consequences,” according to Bild.
According to Sky Germany, Terzic offered to leave the team, but they were “forced to make peace” so they could concentrate on the Champions League final.
Dortmund finished sixth in 2023–24, and seasoned centre-back Hummels had criticisms about the way the team played the teams that were above them in the standings.
He told Bild: “I was furious because I was of the opinion that Borussia Dortmund shouldn’t play like that – against any opponent in the world.
“I didn’t think it could go on like this. I felt insulted in my honour to stand on the pitch in that kit. So submissive, so inferior in footballing terms. The two Stuttgart games and the away game in Leverkusen. That was barricading with 11 men in the box.”
Terzic was enraged by Hummels’ critique, and Bild asserted that one of the two will “certainly” depart the team this summer.
Hummels, who spent his 14th season with Dortmund last season, is currently in the middle of his second stint there.
He was left out of the Germany squad, hence he won’t be participating in Euro 2024.
“I can understand the idea that a group has been growing since March,” Hummels told Bild. “It’s bitter for me as an individual because I’m currently one of the five best defenders in Germany,” he said. “I have the self-confidence to say that.”
Asked about the reasons behind his omission, Hummels said: “If I understood him [Nagelsmann] correctly, it was more about age-related issues like fitness.
“If I’d had a phase like the one I had recently before [the friendly fixtures in] March, maybe I would have been called up [and] for the European Championship squad as well.”
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
