Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund have lost two key individuals at the end of the 2023/24 season
Veteran defender Mats Hummels will reportedly follow Edin Terzic out the door and leave Borussia Dortmund this summer.
The Bundesliga side confirmed via a statement on their website that manager Terzic had left the club of his own volition amid reports of a heated confrontation between Terzic and Hummels ahead of the Champions League final this month.
Confrontation between Terzic and Hummels
According to German outlet Ruhr Nachrichten, the veteran defender's contract will not be renewed, marking the end of his 14-year association with the club. Hummels was said to be keen on signing a new deal only if Terzic left, which now seems to be the case.
Days before the Champions League final, Hummels came out with a shocking critique of his manager's tactics during Dortmund's disappointing Bundesliga campaign. Terzic was reportedly enraged by Hummels' comments, leading to a confrontation between the two that became violent and "so heated that the club discussed personal consequences."
Bild reported that the altercation forced the club to make peace between the two to focus on the final, but the damage was done. Terzic offered to walk away from the club, as reported by Sky Germany, which now appears to be a reality with both Terzic and Hummels set to leave Dortmund.
Hummels' Criticism of Terzic
Hummels was vocal about his dissatisfaction with how the team approached their games, particularly against top-table opponents.
In an interview with Bild, he said, “I was furious because I was of the opinion that Borussia Dortmund shouldn't play like that - against any opponent in the world. I didn't think it could go on like this. I felt insulted in my honour to stand on the pitch in that kit. So submissive, so inferior in footballing terms. The two Stuttgart games and the away game in Leverkusen. That was barricading with 11 men in the box.”
The former Germany international will now have to find a new club when he exits Borussia Dortmund and will have to do so without using the 2024 Euros as a springboard after being excluded from hosts Germany's final squad.
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