''It still feels unbelievably good''

Edin, it's been exactly 46 days since the cup final in Berlin. To what extent have you been able to reflect on a turbulent past six months while on holiday?

Edin Terzic (laughs): This could be a long answer. Where do I begin? In the first few weeks of the summer break I was still in an analytical state of mind, I was thinking about matches and opponents. Then I went away on holiday. At some point I reached the stage, perhaps brought about by unbelievably being awarded two coaching prizes, that I suddenly thought: Wow! Wow! Wow! What did we just manage to achieve together? That's when I first realised what an intense and emotional ride we'd been on. All of a sudden I started to read all the unopened messages I'd received around the end of the season. I watched loads of videos and looked at loads of photos. Again and again. I had so much fun and I just couldn't stop. It felt unbelievably good, and that's still the feeling I have today: everything about it still feels unbelievably good today!

Preparations for the new season get underway on Thursday. Today you've announced that you won't - as originally planned - take up the role of assistant coach under Marco Rose. What are the reasons for this?

Terzic: It was well-known that my big goal was to remain part of the BVB coaching team. But during the summer break I had the chance to think about my future. The idea to establish the role of technical director at BVB took shape over the course of our season analysis, Hans-Joachim Watzke, Michael Zorc, Sebastian Kehl and I worked out a job profile and set out areas of responsibility. We developed a vision of how important this role could be for Borussia Dortmund, the positive influence it could have on the club and how exciting it would be for me personally. BVB then offered me the role, and I took a few days to let our discussions and ideas sit. In this time, I asked myself: to what extent does this suit you? Is this what you can imagine yourself doing?

We know today what the answer to the latter question was - you said yes and signed a contract extension until 30 June 2025.

Terzic: The longer I thought about it, the more of a concrete idea I had of how enjoyable this new task would be for me and how productive my experience could prove for BVB.

You were a youth coach for several years, worked in BVB scouting, were an assistant coach in the Turkish and English leagues, assistant coach at BVB, and finally head coach. In addition to all this practical experience and a large network, you also have a theoretical foundation, including in the area of sports management as a result of your studies in sports science. Now it seems like you're combining these experiences?

Terzic: Yes. Being able to tie together all these aspects and make them valuable for my club was what acted as my ultimate motivation to take on this job. I can hardly wait to get started.

Which responsibilities will you take on in future? 

Terzic: I will be heavily involved in squad planning, I will try to inspire potential signings for BVB, I will act as an additional contact person for coaches and players from the youth performance centre, meaning I'll work alongside Otto Addo as a bridge between the academy and the first team. I will play a part in overseeing players out on loan, speaking to their coaches and doing all I can to get a sense of their development and help them progress as players. It will be about sharing my expertise with the decision makers and the sporting management on various football-related topics and other areas of responsibility that I'll cover. Essentially, I will be an assistant coach to Michael Zorc and Sebastian Kehl (laughs).

It all sounds very good, but there will still be fans who will worry: at some point there will be an offer for a head coaching role in the Bundesliga, and then Edin will be on his way out...

Terzic: If I had wanted to leave BVB, I would have had many opportunities in recent weeks to accept offers from various clubs and associations. I listened a lot, had good conversations, but at the end of the day I still always hit the same point: I had absolutely no desire to leave Borussia Dortmund.

How did Marco Rose react when he heard you wouldn't be part of his coaching staff?

Terzic: We had a very good connection from the moment we first met and always got on well with each other - on the coaching level, but also on a human level. Just like with Hans-Joachim Watzke, Michael Zorc and Sebastian Kehl, I also had open, honest conversations with Marco Rose. 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. However, I can already say this now: Marco, the entire coaching staff and I will work closely, openly and honestly together and strengthen our positive bond. But nobody will see that because we won't be sitting next to each other on the bench. BVB are getting an outstanding coach, a dream coach. I am absolutely sure that we will continue to be successful together.

Preseason preparations start tomorrow, tradition dictates that there will be a lot of discussions about objectives in the coming days. What are your personal goals?

Terzic: Anyone who knows me knows that it's never primarily about me. If, as technical director, I can work closely with the coaches, management, sporting directors, scouts and the youth development centre to help Borussia Dortmund continue to be successful and make progressive improvements, then I will be immeasurably happy. That's my only goal.