By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Jan 18 (Xinhua) -- Nuri Sahin has navigated some of football's most high-profile stages throughout his career.
As a midfielder, the former Germany international wore the shirts of Borussia Dortmund, Feyenoord, Real Madrid and Liverpool, winning the Dutch Cup, Bundesliga, German Cup and La Liga titles. Despite his clear talent, Sahin's transition into football superstardom never quite materialized.
Now, as head coach of Dortmund, Sahin is facing one of his toughest challenges yet. After a string of three defeats in 2025 and a concerning slide down the Bundesliga table, critics have turned their attention to the former midfielder.
"I know how this business works," Sahin said on Friday evening, reflecting on the pressures of coaching a troubled team. "A coaching career is a goal in itself, with everything that comes with it."
The pressure has certainly mounted in recent weeks, with Dortmund struggling to find form. With just 25 points from 18 matches and a negative goal difference, the team is falling far below expectations for a club that prides itself as Germany's second-best behind Bayern Munich. The next match, a crucial UEFA Champions League encounter against Bologna, looms large.
Dortmund CEO Lars Ricken emphasized the focus on the upcoming game, saying, "We need victories and results to get out of this." Sporting Director Sebastian Kehl also reaffirmed his support, stating, "Nuri has our trust." But despite this backing, Sahin is undeniably under intense pressure, with speculation swirling about potential replacements, including former Manchester United coach Erik Ten Hag and ex-Union Berlin boss Urs Fischer.
The clock is ticking for Sahin, who has acknowledged the need for changes to his squad. "We are going to do something," he said, indicating that Dortmund's imbalanced roster would receive reinforcements before the transfer window closes on February 3. However, Sahin is aware that only results will truly alleviate the mounting pressure.
"The only facts that will help are victories and points," he said. "I don't need constant confirmations. I know what kind of job I'm covering."
Despite a solid Champions League campaign, where Dortmund secured 12 points from six games, the team's Bundesliga struggles have overshadowed their continental success. Sitting tenth in the domestic league, their qualification for next season's Champions League is far from guaranteed, with Sahin now facing an ultimatum to turn the ship around.
Team captain Emre Can put it bluntly: "We might have played a satisfying second half against Frankfurt, but we lost. That's not enough in our situation. We need to start winning."
Sahin, who acknowledged the mental toll the crisis is taking on his team, spoke candidly about the club's mental block. "We're busy in our heads, but with the wrong topics," he said, hinting at the deeper psychological issues contributing to Dortmund's inconsistent form.
With a series of crucial games ahead, including the looming clash against Bologna, Sahin's future at Dortmund hangs in the balance. It's clear that if results do not improve soon, both the team's season and his tenure could be on the line. ■
