Borussia Dortmund has taken decisive steps to address the turmoil engulfing the club by implementing significant leadership changes. Managing Director Lars Ricken has declared the end of regular high-level meetings previously dubbed the "elephant round," as the team struggles to gain traction this Bundesliga season.
These meetings, which included key figures like Head Coach Niko Kovač and Sport Director Sebastian Kehl, were characterized by Ricken as no longer necessary amid recent upheavals, particularly following the departure of Technical Director Sven Mislintat. "The elephant round will no longer take place," Ricken confirmed during a Sky interview, indicating plans for a restructuring of the club's management and communication strategies.
Ricken emphasized the importance of daily exchanges with both Kehl and Kovač, pointing to the establishment of new, more effective meeting structures with advisor Matthias Sammer. Yet there remains uncertainty about Sammer's future involvement as a commentator for Dortmund games, following critiques he leveled at the team during their Champions League matches.
Meanwhile, the club's fans and analysts fear the Bundesliga's downward spiral the team is currently facing is not just due to on-field performances. Sports psychologist Matthias Herzog has openly criticized the club’s leadership, likening the chaotic internal dynamics to those of “a chicken coop.” Herzog’s harsh assessment suggests failures at the top are influencing the team’s dismal results, and he called for responsibility among management constituents, which include Watzke, Ricken, Kehl, and Sammer.
According to Herzog, "The problems are not new, but they grow larger each year. Those seeking culpability should look to the top," he stated, emphasizing the necessity for leadership to set clear expectations and accountability. He warned of the growing discontent which, he believes, permeates the club's atmosphere and filters down to the players.
The internal conflicts reportedly culminated in recent media portrayals of power struggles among officials, particularly between Kehl and Mislintat, leading to Mislintat’s dismissal. Herzog criticized this behavior, pointing out the lack of cohesiveness and unity among the club's leadership. "Leadership is about setting examples; without proper leadership, the team cannot expect itself to perform well," he remarked.
With only one win from four competitive matches under Kovač’s reign—resulting in two defeats within the Bundesliga—the pressure on the management is mounting. This disappointing start reflects not just on Kovač's coaching but indicates much larger systemic issues within the club's hierarchy.
On the pitch, doubts about the identity and style of play remain unaddressed. Herzog articulated concerns over the lack of clarity over whether Borussia Dortmund aims for ball possession, counter-attacking play, or high pressing. "No one seems to know what Dortmund’s play style should be, and evidently, neither does the team," Herzog stated, highlighting the disarray affecting performance levels.
The psychological dimensions of the current crisis are exacerbated by poor performances with debates swirling on whether Dortmund can stabilize their current form, especially considering the openly discussed dissatisfaction among players post-match. Herzog pointedly asked, "Regenerateness from what? From failing?" referring to the aftermath of disappointing losses.
This chaotic state of affairs has led to even graver concerns about Dortmund's future in international competition. Herzog warned, "If the team fails to win this year’s Champions League, the expectation to watch from home during next season’s prestigious matches is one they must reconcile with," emphasizing the club’s precarious position at this crossroads.
He added, “Dortmund risks becoming permanently mired in mediocrity; real leaders, both on and off the pitch, are needed to reverse this trend. Without genuine commitment to improvement, Dortmund could remain what they have been: a club with vast potential too rarely realized.”
This combination of leadership changes, internal criticism, and pressing performance issues signals a turbulent period for Borussia Dortmund, as the club seeks not only to stabilize its current situation but to reclaim its status among Germany’s elite football clubs.