Borussia Dortmund SACK Nuri Sahin after dismal Champions League loss to Bologna with ex-Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag a leading candidate to take over as head coach

Sahin's stay at the German side lasted a little over six months as the club formally parted ways with him after their 2-1 loss to Bologna in the Champions League on Tuesday. Dortmund have had a difficult season under the Turkish coach as they currently find themselves 10th in the Bundesliga and 13th in the Champions League standings. They were also ousted from the DFB Pokal in the second round.

Speaking on the manager's sacking, Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken told the club's website: "We value Nuri Sahin and his work very much, we hoped for a long-term collaboration and until the end, we had hoped that we could achieve a sporting turnaround together.

"After four defeats in a row, due to only one win in the last nine games and currently tenth in the Bundesliga table, we have unfortunately lost faith in being able to achieve our sporting goals in the current constellation. This decision hurts me personally, but it was unavoidable after the game in Bologna."

Per The Athletic, the Dortmund players and the coaches were informed about the club's decision at the team hotel in Italy right after the match. Sahin and his coaching staff departed separately while the players headed back to Germany. With the 36-year-old out of the job now, the Bundesliga giants will be looking for his replacement and have already put former United boss Erik ten Hag on their shortlist, according to Sky Sports' Florian Plettenberg. The Dutch coach, however, will demand a long-term contract. The move also depends on the clearance of his severance pay by the Red Devils.

BVB, who are now on a four-match losing streak since returning from the winter break, will aim to get back to winning ways on Saturday as they take on Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga.