Borussia Dortmund has parted ways with technical director Sven Mislintat after just 10 months in his role, marking another significant change in the club's management structure during a turbulent period.
The dismissal comes merely two weeks after the club's decision to replace head coach Nuri Sahin following a disappointing run of results, with only one victory in nine matches. Niko Kovac has since been appointed as the new head coach.
This latest development adds to the ongoing behind-the-scenes changes at the German club, which will see long-serving CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke depart in summer 2025. The club had recently secured sporting director Sebastian Kehl's future with a contract extension until 2027, following speculation about his position. Notably, The Athletic has reported tensions between Kehl and Mislintat, with Kehl having been considered for the newly-created sporting managing director role that ultimately went to Lars Ricken in May.
Mislintat's association with Dortmund dates back to his successful tenure as chief scout from 2006 to 2017, during which he earned recognition for identifying several of the club's most successful signings, including Robert Lewandowski, Ousmane Dembele, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. He returned to the club as technical director in April 2024.
Between his Dortmund stints, Mislintat's career took him to various high-profile positions. He joined Arsenal as head of recruitment under Arsene Wenger but left in 2019, later defending his transfer decisions despite criticism. At VfB Stuttgart, where he served as sporting director, he helped guide the club back to the Bundesliga in his first full season.
His brief tenure at Ajax as director of football in 2023 ended in controversy after less than five months, following an internal investigation into his connection to a sports marketing company involved in summer transfer dealings.
Currently sitting 11th in the Bundesliga, Dortmund will look to improve their position when they host Stuttgart in their next league fixture on Saturday.
