"A working style that didn't suit BVB" – Internal feud linked to Kehl's dismissal

Sport BILD has reported about an "atmosphere of mistrust" that supposedly prevailed between Borussia Dortmund's sporting decision-makers which led to the dismissal of Sebastian Kehl.

Managing director Lars Ricken is believed to have been undermining Kehl's position for weeks and both “were surprised that both were sometimes unaware of the talks with the other.”

BVB's other managing director, Carsten Cramer, in particular, tried to smooth things over in recent months, urging Kehl and Ricken to work hand in hand and coordinate more closely. – 

On the contrary – “When it came to the things that were working well, there was a battle for recognition, especially between Ricken and Kehl" – as BILD noted.

“Internally, Kehl was repeatedly accused of having a working style that didn't suit BVB. Behind closed doors, it was whispered that he constantly complained – even publicly – about the transfer market.

"Also about the ever-increasing prices for players financed by the billions from the Premier League, instead of finding bold and creative solutions.”

Furthermore, the fact that Kehl publicly flirted with interest from Hamburger SV and VfLWolfsburg – both of whom he was linked to – also displeased the BVB bosses.

While Kehl's contract continues for the time being, an agreement on a severance package is planned for the coming weeks. Several clubs have already expressed interest in his services.

Thanks to early planning behind the scenes, BVB has a successor in Nils-Ole Book, who is expected to completely overhaul the Westphalian club's transfer plans.

Instead of overpriced Premier League talents, Book is set to take a new approach, becoming more creative and daring, and “also keeping an eye on talented second-division players."