Sebastian Kehl, the man who spent years trying to steer Borussia Dortmund back to the top of German football, has decided that Tottenham Hotspur is not his next chapter. After discussions in April 2026 about a co-sporting director position in North London, the two sides couldn’t agree on what the future should look like.
What happened between Kehl and Tottenham
Kehl resigned from his position as Borussia Dortmund’s sporting director on March 22, 2026. The departure came after a season without silverware at Signal Iduna Park.
Within weeks, Tottenham came calling. The club held discussions with Kehl regarding a co-sporting director role, and early indications suggested he was the leading candidate. But the conversations never progressed to a formal offer. Kehl ultimately opted against joining Tottenham, citing disagreements over the club’s strategic direction.
Speculation had indicated that Kehl’s willingness to join would hinge on Tottenham securing their place in the Premier League for the 2026-2027 season.
