Borussia Dortmund have acted quickly to secure a new sporting director, appointing Ole Book as successor to Sebastian Kehl. The 40-year-old arrives from Elversberg, where he earned widespread recognition for his role in guiding the club through successive promotions and establishing them as a competitive force in German football. His appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for Dortmund, who are seeking stability and renewed momentum after recent disappointments.
The club confirmed on Monday that Book will officially assume his duties on Wednesday. He has signed a contract running until the end of the 2028–29 season, a long-term commitment that reflects Dortmund’s confidence in his abilities. His arrival comes just days after Kehl’s departure, which followed Dortmund’s victory over Hamburg. Lars Ricken, managing director for sport, praised the appointment, describing Book as the club’s preferred candidate and highlighting his track record at Elversberg. Ricken emphasized that Book’s professional expertise and personal qualities make him an ideal fit for Dortmund’s ambitions.
Book’s rise in football administration has been rapid. After ending his playing career in 2017, having represented Rot Weiss Ahlen, MSV Duisburg, and SV Wehen Wiesbaden, he joined Elversberg as a scout. Within a year, he was promoted to sporting director, and by 2023, he had advanced to the board of directors. His tenure coincided with a remarkable period of success. Elversberg achieved back-to-back promotions in 2022 and 2023, climbing into the 2. Bundesliga. In 2025, they came close to reaching the Bundesliga, narrowly missing out after a play-off defeat to Heidenheim. Ricken noted that under Book’s leadership, Elversberg not only rose through the divisions but also developed young talent and created significant value in the transfer market.
Dortmund believes his creativity and boldness will be crucial in shaping their future squad.
Book inherits a challenging situation. Dortmund enters the March international break nine points behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. Their campaign has also been marred by early exits from both the DFB-Pokal and the Champions League. The new sporting director must oversee a major rebuild to restore competitiveness. Several established players, including Julian Brandt and Niklas Süle, are set to leave at the end of their contracts this summer. At the same time, the club has secured key renewals, with Felix Nmecha, Luca Reggiani, and captain Emre Can committing their futures to Dortmund. These extensions provide a foundation upon which Book can construct his vision for the squad.
For Book, the appointment carries personal significance. Born in Beckum, he has long held an affinity for Dortmund. In his first statement, he expressed excitement at joining one of Europe’s biggest clubs and pledged to give his utmost in guiding them toward success. He also thanked Dominik Holzer and Elversberg for enabling his immediate transition, acknowledging the support that allowed him to take up the role without delay.
The task ahead is formidable. Dortmund must close the gap on Bayern, rebuild confidence after cup disappointments, and prepare for a summer of significant squad changes. Book’s reputation for innovative ideas and talent development will be tested at a higher level, where expectations are far greater, and scrutiny is more intense. His appointment signals Dortmund’s intent to embrace fresh leadership and long-term planning, aiming to re-establish themselves as a consistent challenger domestically and in Europe.
With his contract extending until 2029, Book has both time and responsibility to shape Dortmund’s future. His success at Elversberg suggests he has the vision and resilience required. Now, he faces the challenge of translating that success to one of Germany’s most storied clubs, where the stakes are higher and the ambitions far greater.
