This season, for the first time, he starts the world’s biggest club competition as head coach. With Club Brugge as his opponents to open the show. Here are five things to know about Edin Terzic’s successor.
1. Like Eden, he started early to hang up early
Nuri was a bit of a golden boy at the Dortmund academy. He joined the youth teams at the age of 12. At boarding school, he met Marcel Schmelzer, the Yellow and Black’s helpful left-back.One of my best friendsdescribed the former midfielder. From the moment I arrived, I already behaved like a pro – I was everyone’s darling.”
But he didn’t go to class, which is why Schmelzer often had to lie to his teachers.”Marcel told them I was training, when in truth I was in bed.”
Club Brugge take the lead and are building confidence ahead of Dortmund: “We have to be able to speed up the game”
Sahin made his professional debut at 16 years, 11 months and 1 day. Which made him, at the time, the youngest debutant in the history of the Bundesliga. Given his precocity, it is therefore not surprising to know that he hung up his boots at 33. Like Eden Hazard, the midfielder therefore began and ended his career very early. Like the former captain of the Devils, the one who represented Turkey at international level (52 caps, 2 goals) suffered a lot of injuries at the end.
2. He was traumatized by an attack
All these physical problems did not prevent him from having spells at Real Madrid, Liverpool or, of course, Dortmund. In total, Sahin played 274 matches spread over two spells for the Borussen. He won a league title there in 2011 and a Cup in 2017.
The match that left the biggest impression on him was probably the 2017 Champions League quarter-final against Monaco. On April 11 of that year, Dortmund’s players were targeted by an attack orchestrated by a German-Russian electrician. Three bombs exploded as the bus that was transporting Thomas Tuchel’s players from their hotel to Signal Iduna Park passed by.It’s hard to talk about itSahin said. I will never forget the faces of my teammates.”
3. In progress with Lindsey Vonn and Andy Roddick
The German-born Turk also took courses at Harvard. He was accepted into a sports management program. Other football personalities had already participated in it, such as Gerard Piqué, Kaka, Dani Alves, Edwin van der Sar, Mario Melchiot or Sir Alex Ferguson.
Other sports figures went there at the same time as Sahin.”There was Lindsey Vonn and a tennis player next to me”he explained, without recognizing Andy Roddick.
4. “Obliged” to play Duranville
If he had Ruud Boffin under his wing at Antalyaspor, the first club he coached, Sahin is now looking after another Belgian: Julien Duranville. The Neerpede product is one of the most promising in his group. “I love him. After this international window, I almost feel compelled to play himlaughed Sahin, who saw Duranville make his debut with the Devils earlier this month. I’ve seen the footage and that’s exactly what I want to see from him. I don’t want to be a hindrance to his progress. If he stays fit, Julian will be a very important player for us.”
5. Coach from the age of 26
During his playing career, from the age of 26, Sahin was already a coach: at Meinerzhagen, a team in the German 9th division. The role kept him busy during his periods of injury. His inspirations? Roberto De Zerbi, Tuchel and Jurgen Klopp who had made him a key part of his system at Dortmund.He doesn’t see you as a player but as a human being”the former midfielder explained.
Sahin also worked with Mourinho at Real Madrid. With the Portuguese, he mostly spent time on the bench.You can’t say his human management is bad.admitted the Turk. She is exceptional but different. She was one of the first to call me when there was the earthquake in Turkey. (in 2023).”
