Borussia Dortmund 2025 crisis began erupting early in the year when a run of losses plunged the club into Bundesliga mid‑table obscurity. The phrase Borussia Dortmund 2025 crisis appears here to signal focus and clarity in the opening lines.
The team lost five of seven Bundesliga games early in 2025 and dropped to 11th on the table. Consequently, hopes of Champions League qualification wavered despite high ambitions. Fans and analysts watched anxiously as performances faltered.
Managerial shake‑up heightens crisis
Nuri Şahin was dismissed in January after four straight losses in all competitions. That decision reflected urgency as the club aimed to arrest its slide. His dismissal came days after a 2‑1 Champions League loss to Bologna, illustrating how quickly confidence eroded
Shortly afterwards, Niko Kovac arrived to take charge until summer 2026. He brought reputation, discipline and fresh structure. Expectations rose again that the club could salvage league positioning and qualify for Europe
Stunning scoring stars emerge
Amid the turmoil, striker Serhou Guirassy offered hope. He joined in summer 2024 and quickly became one of Europe’s most explosive forwards. By mid‑February 2025 he had ten Champions League goals, matching legends like Lewandowski and Haaland
His four‑goal haul against Union Berlin in February made history: Guirassy became only the fifth Dortmund player in 40 years to net four in a Bundesliga fixture
Transfers to address squad flaws
During summer 2025, Dortmund eyed several key signings to strengthen wide areas and attack. They pursued Carney Chukwuemeka from Chelsea and considered Christopher Nkunku. Negotiations continued amid transfer window tensions
Despite outgoing interest in players like Jamie Gittens (soon destined for Chelsea), the club also monitored emerging names such as Leandro Trossard to rebuild momentum
Season wrap‑up: qualification amid chaos
Despite mid‑season setbacks, Dortmund recovered to finish fourth in Bundesliga, securing last‑gasp Champions League qualification. This turnaround surprised many, as they had been in the table’s bottom half after round 27, something no team had ever done before and still qualify for Europe
Season reviews rated the campaign as barely acceptable. Critics pointed to defensive frailty and inconsistencies, giving performance grades like D+ for the overall outcome. Meanwhile, Champions League exploits offered rare highlights
Attendance and fan support
Through all turmoil, fan attendance remained incredibly strong. Dortmund recorded the highest average Bundesliga attendance in 2024‑25 at over 81,000 spectators per match. That loyalty provided continuity even in rough patches
Why this Borussia Dortmund 2025 crisis matters
The story of this season reveals how a top club can wobble yet avoid collapse. It shows how managerial change, key signings and individual brilliance can lift a team out of crisis. Fans learn that loyalty and resilience may compensate for unstable periods. It also signals that Dortmund must rebuild more carefully to avoid repeating near‑disaster seasons.