Kehl's Dortmund Exit: Ranking His Top 10 Signings from Bargain Buys to Bellingham Bro
Borussia Dortmund have parted ways with sporting director Sebastien Kehl after three-and-a-half years, prompting a look back at his top 10 signings. From bargain buys like Nico Schlotterbeck and Serhou Guirassy to eyebrow-raisers such as Jobe Bellingham, Kehl's tenure featured smart business amid big comings and goings. While not every deal was a smash, the hits suggest a solid legacy as the club eyes fresh leadership.
Kehl Bids Farewell to Dortmund – Time to Judge His Transfer Legacy
Picture this: you're at the pub, pint in hand, and Dortmund drop a bombshell. Sebastien Kehl, the ex-captain turned sporting director, has been shown the door after three-and-a-half years. He stepped in during the summer of 2022, right as Erling Haaland was jetting off to Man City. Plenty of stars passed through Signal Iduna Park on his watch – but did the incomings stack up? As reported by Football365, we've ranked his top 10 signings, from flops to future gems.
The Countdown: From Eyebrow-Raisers to Absolute Steals
Starting at 10, Jobe Bellingham arrived for €30.5m from Sunderland. Signing Jude's little bro raised a few smirks – was it nepotism or nous? He's bedded in now, hitting form after a slow start in the Bundesliga.
9) Karim Adeyemi (€30m from Red Bull Salzburg in 2022). Dortmund pipped the queue for this speed demon. 35 goals in 143 games ain't shabby, even if he's been shunted wide rather than up top.
8) Niclas Füllkrug (€17.25m). The big lad bagged 15 goals in 43 outings before flopping at West Ham. Dortmund flipped him for a tidy €10m profit in a year – not bad business, eh?
7) Waldemar Anton (€22.5m from Stuttgart in 2024). Now in year two, this German international debutant is a 'defensive rock', per the Bundesliga site. Prem sides are sniffing around the 29-year-old.
6) Ramy Bensebaini (free from Borussia Mönchengladbach). Four years of top-flight nous for nada? Genius. He's morphed from left-back to centre-half beast.
5) Daniel Svensson (€6.5m from Nordsjælland, loan-to-buy in 2025). The Swede slotted in at left-back, racking up 60 appearances as a regular starter. Solid rotation fodder.
The Elite Tier: Heavy Hitters Who Delivered Big
4) Felix Nmecha (€30m from Wolfsburg in 2023). Midfield muscle who's now tied down with a new deal. One of Kehl's prized assets.
3) Julian Ryerson (€5m from Union Berlin in Jan 2023). Bundesliga veteran who's clocked 100+ appearances. Blimey, four assists in one game vs Mainz last month? Versatile right-back gold.
2) Serhou Guirassy (€18m from Stuttgart in 2024). Debut season? 21 goals in 30 Bundesliga matches. At 30, resale might be meh, but that's bang-up value.
Top spot goes to 1) Nico Schlotterbeck (€20m from Freiburg in 2022). 150+ games at centre-back, German international, and entering contract's final year. Dortmund slap a €50m+ tag on him now – summer feeding frenzy incoming.
Kehl's Verdict: Hits Outweigh the Misses?
Kehl's era wasn't flawless – remember the Haaland-shaped hole? But unearthing gems like Schlotterbeck and Guirassy on relative bargains shows savvy. Freebies like Bensebaini and cut-price Ryerson scream smart scouting. Even the gambles, like young Bellingham, are paying off.
As Dortmund hunt a new director, this list proves Kehl left a decent blueprint. Sure, Füllkrug became a Hammer headache, but flipping profit softened the blow. Fans will miss the stability, but with stars like these, BVB's transfer machine keeps humming. What's next for the Black and Yellows? Grab another round – it's gonna be lively.