Once a model for smart recruitment and fearless football, Borussia Dortmund’s identity is now being questioned — is the “Dortmund Way” a thing of the past?
For over a decade, Borussia Dortmund were celebrated across Europe for their sharp recruitment, attacking football, and resilience against financial giants like Bayern Munich. Known as a club that developed future stars, played with a clear tactical identity, and punched above its weight, Dortmund became a template for how elite football clubs should be run.
But in 2025, much of what defined the “Dortmund Way” appears to have faded. Their famed pipeline of youthful talent, stylistic clarity, and financial discipline is no longer as clear-cut. The club is still in the spotlight — recently reaching the 2024 Champions League final — but the blueprint that made them admired worldwide is increasingly outdated.
From Crisis to Champions League Contenders
In the early 2000s, Borussia Dortmund were anything but stable. After a reckless spending spree, the club neared bankruptcy in 2005. What followed was a period of austerity that birthed creativity. The arrival of Jürgen Klopp in 2008 brought more than a new face — it brought an identity.
Under Klopp’s “Gegenpressing” philosophy, Dortmund transformed. They won the Bundesliga in 2011 and 2012, and reached the Champions League final in 2013 with a starting XI assembled for just over €40 million — a testament to the club’s clever scouting and youth development.
This era set the tone: develop young talent, play on the front foot, and sell stars for massive profit. Players like Robert Lewandowski, Ilkay Gündogan, and Ousmane Dembélé all passed through the club before moving on for bigger fees or opportunities.
The Evolution — Or Decline — of the Dortmund Model
The brand was strong. Then-CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke proudly marketed the club’s philosophy. But the figures in recent seasons suggest that brand no longer reflects the reality.
Of their last 20 permanent signings, 12 were over the age of 25. In the 2024/25 season, only two players under 23 made more than 10 starts. Compare this to other Bundesliga clubs:
- Bayer Leverkusen (under Xabi Alonso) won the 2023/24 double using 27 players — 19 of whom joined before turning 23.
- RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt have sold six players for over €30 million each since 2018.
- Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund have managed that only four times over the same span.
Financially, Dortmund are no longer underdogs either. They ranked 11th in the 2025 Deloitte Money League, ahead of Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan — while Leverkusen, Leipzig, and Frankfurt all ranked lower or not at all.
A Crisis of Identity
Perhaps most concerning is the tactical drift. Since Klopp’s departure in 2015, Borussia Dortmund have appointed eight different managers in ten years, each bringing their own footballing ideas. The club’s famous high-pressing identity has diminished — and so has the clarity needed to recruit the right players.
Ahead of the 2024 Champions League final, veteran defender Mats Hummels openly criticized then-coach Edin Terzić’s tactics, calling the team’s approach “submissive” and “inferior in footballing terms.” Both Hummels and Terzić left that summer, but the tactical confusion lingered.
Nuri Şahin’s short spell as head coach saw Dortmund rank:
- 9th in Bundesliga for sprints
- 14th for intensive runs
- 14th for total distance covered
Even in effort and intensity — once hallmarks of the club — Dortmund were falling behind.
Can Dortmund Reclaim Their Identity?
The appointment of Niko Kovač in early 2025 has brought cautious optimism. There are signs of more intensity and cohesion returning, but the road back to a well-defined identity is long.
Young players now expect more than minutes — they want development pathways, stability, and a tactical setup that helps their careers. Dortmund used to provide that. Now, they face stiff competition from clubs who do it better, more consistently.
The “Dortmund Way” was once the gold standard. Today, it feels more like a myth. But with the club’s financial strength, infrastructure, and devoted fan base, a revival isn’t impossible — it just needs vision, patience, and the right leadership.
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