New Sporting Director Nils-Ole Book Tasked With Major Borussia Dortmund Squad Overhaul Following Sebastian Kehl Exit

Nils-Ole Book begins BVB squad overhaul as Niko Kovac eyes Kennet Eichhorn and Ramon Hendriks to solve Dortmund's defensive and midfield gaps.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 26, 2026, 4:16 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Goal.com.

Strategic Shift Under New Sporting Leadership

The appointment of Nils-Ole Book marks a definitive turning point for Borussia Dortmund as the club seeks to move beyond the tenure of Sebastian Kehl. Book, who built a formidable reputation at SV Elversberg for identifying high-value talent within strict financial constraints, is now expected to apply that same analytical rigor to a much larger stage. According to Lars Ricken, the club’s managing director for sport, the objective is to balance a "youth first" philosophy with the immediate competitive requirements of the Bundesliga, ensuring the squad possesses the physical and technical maturity to compete for silverware.

Defensive Vulnerabilities and the Stuttgart Solution

Niko Kovac’s preference for a back-three system has frequently exposed a lack of depth in central defense, a problem exacerbated by Chelsea’s decision to recall loanee Aaron Anselmino. With Niklas Süle set to depart as a free agent and Emre Can sidelined by a long-term cruciate ligament tear, the recruitment of a reliable left-sided defender has become the administration's primary concern. Ramon Hendriks of VfB Stuttgart has emerged as a leading candidate to fill this void, valued for his tactical flexibility and his ability to transition seamlessly between center-back and wing-back roles within Kovac’s preferred 3-4-1-2 formation.

The Search for a Midfield Engine Continues

Despite significant financial investments in players like Carney Chukwuemeka and Jobe Bellingham, Dortmund has struggled to replicate the box-to-box dominance lost after Jude Bellingham’s departure to Madrid. While Felix Nmecha has finally established himself as a central pillar of the starting eleven, the departure of Salih Özcan this summer will leave a void in the squad’s defensive midfield options. This lack of a dedicated "number six" has forced the club to scout high-potential prospects who can provide both physical presence and ball progression under pressure.