Edin Terzic signs contract extension and takes on technical director role.

The surprising news first of all: when Borussia Dortmund's pre-season preparations for 2021/22 get underway on Thursday, Edin Terzic, at his own request, will no longer be part of the coaching staff. And now the good news for all BVB fans: the successful head coach from the second half of last season has worked with the management board and the sporting direction to establish a new role at the club which will allow him to make the most of his experience. From now on, Terzic will serve as Borussia's technical director. The 38-year-old has signed a contract extension which will keep him at the club until 30 June 2025.

Terzic's story at BVB began as a fan on the south stand. He then worked his way up the ranks as an academy coach, scout, assistant coach and then head coach. In his new role he will be heavily involved in squad planning, inspiring potential signings for BVB, acting as a bridge to the youth performance centre and overseeing players out on loan. He will report directly to the sporting directors Michael Zorc, 58, and Sebastian Kehl, 41. 

''Being able to tie together all these tasks and make them valuable for my club was what acted as my ultimate motivation to take on this job. The idea took shape over the course of our season analysis. Hans-Joachim Watzke, Michael Zorc, Sebastian Kehl and I all worked together to develop a job profile and set out my areas of responsibility. Now I can hardly wait to get started,'' says Terzic, who a few days ago informed his successor as head coach, 44-year-old Marco Rose, of his decision: ''It was always Marco's wish to have me on his coaching staff. He always made that very clear to me. For my part, I always let him know where my head was at in terms of my decision-making. I think Marco could sense that this decision didn't come easy for me, but he was able to see and accept that my desire to take on this new position and my conviction that this was the right step for me was just too strong.''

The management at Borussia Dortmund were delighted to hear that Terzic, who has received several job offers for the head coach role at other clubs this summer, sees his future in Dortmund. '' I am firmly of the opinion that we are set up perfectly in this way and will work together successfully,'' says Borussia Dortmund chief executive officer Hans-Joachim Watzke, 62, adding: ''It was really great fun to work on and develop these ideas together with Edin.'' Michael Zorc, 58, states: ''Admittedly we had other plans regarding the future of Edin Terzic. After several intensive discussions about his future areas of responsibility, we now believe that the entire club will benefit from his work as technical director. We have found a real BVB solution here.''

Edin Terzic interview