Borussia Dortmund have confirmed the departure of sporting director Sebastian Kehl, the former club captain, and moved swiftly to appoint his successor. Within 24 hours, the club announced Nils-Ole Book as Kehl's replacement, with Book arriving from 2. Bundesliga-Side SV Elversberg.
Book first joined Elversberg in 2017 as a scout before being appointed sporting director in the autumn of 2018. At the outset of his tenure, the club competed in the Regionalliga — Germany’s fourth tier — but under his leadership, Elversberg secured back-to-back promotions, ultimately reaching the 2. Bundesliga.
The club’s progression in the second division has been equally impressive in their debut 2. Bundesliga campaign, Elversberg finished 11th before climbing to third place the following season. Currently, they sit second in the table and are firmly in contention for promotion to the Bundesliga, a remarkable trajectory that speaks to the sporting infrastructure Book helped build.
Whether Book possesses the vision to help Dortmund finally emerge from the shadows of Bayern Munich remains to be seen. What he was able to demonstrate during his time at Elversberg is an ability to develop a sporting identity, build sustainably, and utilize upward momentum- qualities that have eluded BVB in recent years.
Dortmund is not a sleeping giant in the traditional sense. The infrastructure, the fanbase, and the European pedigree are all there. But a Bundesliga title has not arrived in Signal Iduna Park since 2012, and the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid served as another reminder of the gap between potential and silverware.
Book inherits a club at a crossroads. If his work at Elversberg is anything to go by, the rebuild may be quieter and more methodical than Dortmund’s fanbase is accustomed to, but perhaps that is exactly what is needed.
Nils-Ole Book has spent his career turning modest resources into extraordinary results. At Dortmund, he will have far greater means at his disposal. Whether that makes Book’s job easier or harder, only time will tell