Dortmund's dead man walking
Monday, December 11, 2006
Article summary
BV Borussia Dortmund have announced that they will part company with coach Bert van Marwijk in the summer, adding more uncertainty to an odd season.
Article body
Measured statement
The Bundesliga club revealed after their 1-0 win against VfL Wolfsburg on 2 December that the Dutchman will not be staying beyond summer 2007. "We reached the decision to part company at the end of the season several weeks ago," came the statement. "All relationships have to finish at some time."
'It is agreed'
Van Marwijk has been contracted to Dortmund until 2008 having taken the helm in 2004/05, yet was calm as he confirmed the decision. "It is agreed we will part at the end of the campaign," said the 54-year-old former Feyenoord and SC Fortuna Sittard boss. Considering the club extended Van Marwijk's deal during the summer, it seems an unusual move, but given the season Dortmund are having, it is perhaps not so surprising as the coach's team underwhelm on the pitch.
Financial concerns
With financial problems hampering progress at the Westfalenstadion in recent years, Dortmund's ambitions have been reasonably modest for 2006/07, Van Marwijk's target being qualification for the UEFA Cup. He has done well enough, as their current eighth position suggests. However, the board have been concerned about off-the-field developments, fearing their youth policy is starting to lag behind their Bundesliga rivals'. That, coupled with Van Marwijk's unconvincing switch from a 4-4-2 formation to 4-3-3, has done little to curry favour.
Home disappointments
Nor have two successive UEFA Intertoto Cup exits, while this term's home form has also been disappointing, with the one-time Bundesliga powerhouses managing just two home victories in eight attempts. For many, the 1996/97 UEFA Champions League winners need a change of direction. The directors appear to concur, and have taken the unusual step of naming the man they would like to replace Van Marwijk - DSC Arminia Bielfeld coach Thomas von Heesen. "Von Heesen is our first choice," said the club of the man who has taken Arminia to sixth place this season.
Marked man
The question now is whether Van Marwijk will still be at Dortmund come the spring. Sporting director Michael Zorc is keeping an eye on "which players are giving their all" but - as Sunday's 3-1 Ruhr derby defeat at FC Schalke 04 arguably showed - Van Marwijk may struggle to inspire his charges during the remainder of his reign.
