Edin Terzic has resigned as Borussia Dortmund head coach.
The 41-year-old guided Dortmund to the Champions League final before they were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid earlier this month, but his side endured an inconsistent campaign in the Bundesliga and ended up finishing fifth, 27 points behind champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Terzic met with Dortmund’s hierarchy on Wednesday evening where he offered his resignation. He has now left the club after two years in charge and having won the DFB Pokal in 2021.
Terzic’s exit comes in the wake of reports from German newspaper Bild that he was involved in a bust-up with Mats Hummels, who criticised the team’s style of play just days before Dortmund’s Champions League final against Madrid.
In an interview with Sport Bild, Hummels made it clear that he was angry with Dortmund’s tactics in their three defeats to Stuttgart this season.
‘I was furious because I was of the opinion that Borussia Dortmund shouldn’t play like that, against any opponent in the world,’ Hummels said.
‘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.’
During the interview, Hummels said he had given ‘a lot of suggestions’ to Terzic and gave a ‘clear opinion that we clearly have to improve in the forward play’.
Hummels also accused Terzic of relying on a counter-attacking mentality against the stronger sides in the Bundesliga.
‘We have a different self-image, but we’re not playing at the level of Leverkusen or Stuttgart. But that’s what I expect from Borussia Dortmund,’ Hummels said.
‘I want to see a team come to Dortmund and be scared because they know that they have to really suffer to have a chance. And they don’t think they can have 60 per cent possession without any problems. Borussia Dortmund must be able to completely dominate every opponent in the Bundesliga for 45 minutes and not only be successful on the counter-attack against good opponents.’
In a message confirming his resignation, Terzic said on Thursday: ‘It is incredibly painful for me to say this to all Black and Yellow fans, but today I am parting company with Borussia Dortmund.
‘It was a huge honour to win the DFB Cup with BVB and to lead this fantastic club to the Champions League final. After the game at Wembley, I asked for a meeting with the club’s senior management team, because after ten years at BVB – including five on the coaching staff and two and a half as head coach – I feel that the club’s new era should begin with a new man on the touchline.
‘Everyone close to me knows that this has been a very difficult decision for me to take over the last few weeks, but after intensive discussions my fundamental feeling has not changed. I wish Borussia Dortmund all the best, and this isn’t goodbye – we’ll see you soon. Hey BVB!’
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