Borussia Dortmund have sacked Nuri Sahin after only seven months in charge, according to reports in Germany.
The former Dortmund and Real Madrid midfielder was relieved of his duties in the wake of his side’s 2-1 defeat by Bologna on Tuesday night, reports claim.
Sahin led his side into the fixture knowing defeat could spell the end of his tenure, with the side faltering in the Bundesliga and short of the points required to automatically qualify for the Champions League last-16.
According to Sky Germany and Bild, Sahin was sacked on Tuesday night, with the team and coaching staff informed of the decision at the Dortmund team hotel in Bologna.
Speaking shortly after the loss in Italy, Sahin said he still felt the trust of his players but accepted that his future at his boyhood club was uncertain.
‘This is not about me. If I am the problem, if a coach change would solve all problems, so be it. We have to deliver and the fact is we have now lost four matches in a row,’ Sahin said.
Nuri Sahin has been sacked as Borussia Dortmund manager after only seven months in charge
The German giants fell to their fourth defeat in a row on Tuesday night against Serie A side Bologna
Erik ten Hag has been out of work since he was sacked by Manchester United in October
‘Even a point would have been important on the road to a top-eight finish. It is not about me but about the club Borussia Dortmund.’
Dortmund are yet to confirm who will lead the squad in their next match against Werder Bremen, who sit a place above them in the table in ninth.
One name likely to be linked with the job is former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, who was revealed last week to be working as a ‘shadow coach’ under Sahin.
The 54-year-old has some coaching experience in Germany, which came during a two-year stint with Bayern Munich II, while Pep Guardiola managed the senior side.
Ten Hag was at the Westfalenstadion last week as Dortmund suffered a 3-2 loss by Bayer Leverkusen. The result heaped more pressure on Sahin, who replaced Edin Terzic at the start of the campaign.
Ten Hag reportedly has a ‘very good’ relationship with Dortmund advisor and former captain Matthias Sammer.