Jurgen Klopp offers verdict as ex-Liverpool midfielder takes charge of Borussia Dortmund

Former Liverpool midfielder Nuri Sahin has officially taken the helm at Borussia Dortmund, starting a three-year contract as head coach of the Champions League finalists on July 1. 

Sahin, 35, replaces Edin Terzic, who departed the role at the end of the season with Sahin - one of his assistants - stepping into the top job. 

As a player, he was a shining star in Jurgen Klopp’s Dortmund regime during the ex-Liverpool manager’s time in charge at Signal-Iduna Park. 

With Sahin in the ranks, the Yellow and Blacks won a Bundesliga title as well as a DFB-Pokal (German Cup). 

He left in 2012 for Real Madrid but an ill-fated spell at the Bernabeu saw him eventually move on loan to Liverpool and subsequently back to Dortmund. 

Sahin’s spell at Liverpool was disappointing, initially signing a season-long loan deal at Anfield. He failed to make the breakthrough and the deal was cancelled with Real Madrid early, allowing the ex-Turkey international to move back to Dortmund. 

The former playmaker retired in 2021 after spells with Werder Bremen and Antalyaspor, taking up roles as head coach and sporting director at Antalyaspor before making the return to Dortmund as a coach under Terzic. 

The side managed to get all the way to the Champions League final at Wembley despite an indifferent Bundesliga season, beating Paris Saint-Germain among others before eventually coming unstuck against Madrid. 

Now he steps into the role once occupied by his mentor, Klopp, who wished the ex-midfielder well upon his appointment at BVB. 

Klopp says Sahin will be 'great' as Dortmund manager

The 57-year-old German has offered his seal of approval to his former captain, predicting that his spell in charge will be “great”. 

If it’s anything like Klopp’s Dortmund days, then it goes without saying that supporters will be thrilled. 

“Exactly 16 years ago was my first day at BVB and today you take the helm - wishing you much success my friend, it will be great,” Klopp wrote on Instagram. 

Dortmund face a season of transition with veterans Mats Hummels and Marco Reus departing the club. Meanwhile, two loan stars of their Champions League run, Ian Maatsen and Jadon Sancho have also gone.