On Thursday evening, long-term BVB captain Marco Reus announced that he wanted to pass on the captain’s armband. Sporting director Sebastian Kehl has several candidates in mind in the hunt for a successor.

During his vacation, Marco Reus decided to step down as captain after five years in the role. He subsequently informed the Borussia Dortmund management of his decision. “I think it’s a sign of greatness. The fact we’re transferring leadership is in all of our interests,” said Sebastien Kehl on Friday. But the sporting director will continue to hold the former captain accountable: “Marco will nonetheless retain responsibility. He was captain for many years; he’s an unbelievably important player for Borussia Dortmund and has produced great performances. He’ll also want to build on that again this year.” 

The decision as to who will succeed Reus as the new captain of Borussia Dortmund will be taken by chairman of the board Hans-Joachim Watzke, head coach Edin Terzic and Kehl. “We have several candidates in mind, we shall look at the composition of the Team Council. We’ll find a good mix, as we have managed to do in the last few years too,” said Kehl, who initially wants to wait until all the players are back in Dortmund. “Then we’ll have time in the USA to discuss matters, hold individual talks and have a think about it. There will certainly not be a decision beforehand.”

The sporting director gave the following job description for the captaincy: “In the past, it has always been someone who has character, who gets involved in their own way and who takes responsibility, even at difficult moments.” A certain significance on the pitch counts too, he said. “You want someone who stands up for things, represents them and can be the coach’s extended arm in the dressing room and the go-to person for the club. We will find the right candidate.”
Christina Reinke