The 2025-26 season was a disaster for Borussia Dortmund. This in-depth analysis examines the tactical flaws, recruitment blunders, and managerial missteps that led to their collapse.
Borussia Dortmund’s 2025-26 campaign unraveled due to a rigid and outdated tactical system. Despite averaging 56% possession in the Bundesliga, the team managed just 1.2 goals per game — the lowest among clubs with Champions League ambitions. The attacking structure, once fluid under Klopp and early Terzić, became stagnant. Wingers like Donyell Malen and Karim Adeyemi were funneled inward, congesting the central zones instead of stretching defenses.
The midfield lacked both drive and creativity. Emre Can, now 31, struggled with mobility, while Ramazan Emreli failed to impose tempo. Without a true playmaker, Julian Brandt was forced deeper, diminishing his attacking influence. Defensively, Nico Schlotterbeck’s positional errors and inconsistent performances left the backline vulnerable. A staggering 63% of goals conceded came from counters or rapid transitions — a fatal flaw against high-intensity opponents like Leverkusen and Bayern.
"Dortmund played like a team afraid to lose, not one eager to win," analysts suggest.
Dortmund’s summer 2025 transfers were ambitious but poorly executed. The €22 million acquisition of Ismaël Gueye from Rennes yielded only 2 goals and 3 assists in 28 appearances. Hyped as a creative spark, he failed to adapt to the Bundesliga’s pace and was tactically misused. Similarly, promoting Tom Rothe to right-back instead of signing an experienced replacement for Marius Wolf backfired. Rothe showed grit but was outclassed by elite wingers.
The decision to retain Thorgan Hazard despite recurring injuries deprived the squad of a reliable Plan B. Meanwhile, the long-term absence of a Jude Bellingham successor remains a gaping hole. The club’s recruitment strategy appears reactive rather than visionary, focusing on short-term fixes instead of sustainable development.
Edin Terzić faces intense scrutiny. On one hand, he inherited a transitional squad and kept Dortmund competitive in Europe the previous season. His man-management and cup pedigree are respected. On the other, his tactical inflexibility — persistent use of underperforming players, lack of in-game adjustments — has been indefensible.
Critics argue Terzić failed to modernize Dortmund’s identity. While rivals like Leipzig and Leverkusen embraced dynamic pressing and positional rotations, Dortmund remained stuck in a predictable 4-3-3. However, experts believe the issue extends beyond the manager: the sporting director’s office lacks cohesion, and recruitment operates in silos. Terzić may not be solely to blame, but he has become the face of stagnation.
To avoid a downward spiral, Dortmund must act decisively. First, overhaul the tactical system: adopt a more fluid 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-3 with verticality and positional flexibility. Second, reset the recruitment strategy: prioritize young, high-potential players with tactical intelligence — not just names. Third, rebuild the defense: Schlotterbeck needs a faster, more reliable partner, and the right-back position requires an immediate upgrade.
Q: Will Dortmund sack their manager?
A: No official decision has been made, but Terzić’s future hinges on Champions League qualification. Failure to secure European football would likely trigger a managerial change.
Q: Who should Dortmund sign in summer 2026?
A: Targets should include a creative midfielder like Rayan Cherki or Paul Wanner, a dynamic defender such as Castello Lukeba, and a proven striker like Artem Dovbyk.
Q: Why is Dortmund playing so badly?
A: A mix of poor recruitment, tactical rigidity, lack of on-field leadership, and failure to evolve with modern football trends has led to their collapse.
