Sebastian Kehl to head the Licensed Player Division from 1 June

Kehl played a total of 263 Bundesliga matches for BVB between 2002 and 2015, won three championships with the Black and Yellows, won the double, played in the Champions League final, and, furthermore, was a runner-up at the 2002 World Cup and came third in the 2006 edition with the national team. He will take on the newly created position of Head of the Licensed Player Division.

“By bringing Sebastian into the fold we have completed the sporting direction headed by Michael Zorc. I am really very pleased that we have been able to secure Sebastian and am totally convinced that he will contribute in nothing but a positive manner to our future work. The new tasks with which he is charged are of the utmost importance for our further sporting development”, emphasised Hans-Joachim Watzke (Chief Executive Officer).

We are really glad that we were able to successfully conclude our dialogues with Sebastian Kehl”, stressed Zorc: “Sebastian brings a high level of specialist knowledge and competence with him and is a figure with whom everyone can identify. In his capacity as Head of the Licensed Player Division, he stands for trustworthiness and professionalism, and will play a large role in shaping BVB in future. When we create new roles, we want to fill them with the best people. We have achieved that with Sebastian’s appointment!”

“I am looking forward to the challenge, the opportunity to participate in the shaping of this club’s sporting future, and to sharing responsibility for that. I feel a deep connection with Borussia Dortmund, the people here as well as the region. BVB has been close to my heart for a long time now. Against this backdrop, I wish to express my deep gratitude for the trust shown in me”, emphasised Sebastian Kehl.

Kehl took the opportunity to develop himself further after his career as an athlete came to an end in the summer of 2015: he completed a qualification in management at UEFA, collected valuable work experience at the German Football Association (DFB) and the German Football League (DFL), and also completed his UEFA A Licence in coaching. “These experiences have granted me new perspectives relevant to the current challenges of the modern game”, said Kehl, who promised: “I will, together with those other responsible figures, give everything I have to provide the club with fresh impetus and take things forward so that the sporting conditions and the required atmosphere are put in place for football at BVB which is both attractive and which continues to bring success.”

Sebastian Kehl apologises for any inconvenience caused by the fact he will make no further mention of the contents of this media communication until the beginning of his employ at BVB on 1 June due to the important games the team are still scheduled to play as part of the current season.