On the basis of the Bundesliga table as it currently appears, Borussia Dortmund have achieved exactly what most expected them to achieve this season. The Black and Yellows sit in second place, but have never truly been within touching distance of runaway leaders Bayern Munich, who are set to clinch a 10th consecutive German championship.
This, however, doesn’t tell the whole story of Dortmund’s 2021/22 campaign. In binary terms, the Westfalenstadion club might be where they should be, but the way they have arrived there has raised concerns over the direction Marco Rose’s team is heading in. The 45-year-old can’t be certain of his own job security before the summer.
At Borussia Monchengladbach, Rose was considered one of the best young coaches in the Bundesliga. He achieved great success with the Foals, taking the club into the Champions League and competing near the top of the German top flight. Borussia Dortmund’s appointment of Rose from one of their closest rivals last year was seen as a coup.
However, Rose has struggled to make his mark on the Black and Yellows since taking over last summer. Gladbach played under a high-pressing, high-energy brand of soccer under Rose, but Dortmund have bizarrely lacked those qualities this season. They have been far too easy for opponents to match up against.
Defensively, Borussia Dortmund have been extremely vulnerable. Heavy defeats have been suffered against Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig and Rangers in the Europa League. Rose boasts several high-quality attacking options, including Erling Haaland, but there has been no discernible pattern to his team’s play in the final third of the pitch.
That Haaland has missed a large portion of the season through injury certainly hasn’t helped Rose, but Dortmund’s troubles go far beyond the fitness record of their Norwegian striker. Rose has been unable to implement his preferred 4-4-2 formation with his team desperately lacking an identity.
As good as Haaland is, his expected departure from the Westfalenstadion this summer might actually allow Rose to reshape Borussia Dortmund in his own image. The 45-year-old might not last that long at the club, though. The Black and Yellows have a decision to make on the future of their current manager.
Erik ten Hag had been mentioned as a potential option for Dortmund to take over this summer, although it now appears more likely that the Ajax boss will pitch up at Manchester United instead. Edin Terzic could be a good choice to take over following a successful spell as interim manager in the second half of last season, but would his appointment really make a statement about a new direction being taken at the Bundesliga club?
Rose certainly hasn’t been helped by some of the recruitment decisions made by Borussia Dortmund in recent times. Donyell Malen was signed to be the replacement for Jadon Sancho, who left to join Manchester United last summer, but has struggled for consistent form in his first season in Germany. At the back, Dortmund have been reliant on veterans Emre Can and Matts Hummels when additions have been needed.
Those additions will arrive this summer with Bayern Munich and Germany centre back Nicklas Sule already signed to a pre-contract agreement, while the young and impressive Nico Schlotterbeck has also been mentioned as a potential target. This pair would certainly strengthen Borussia Dortmund at the back, at least on paper.
Recent reports state Rose will keep his job for the start of the 2021/22 season, but this could change if a better option becomes available. Dortmund have the potential to be Bundesliga title challengers, but their squad needs reconstruction and Rose must do better in instilling his ideas in his group of players.
RB Leipzig have shown Dortmund how a turnaround can happen in a short space of time, with Domenico Tedesco making an immediate impact at the club. As things stand, RB Leipzig, not Borussia Dortmund, are expected to be the closest challengers to Bayern Munich next season with Tedesco putting place the groundwork for bigger and better things since his appointment in December. They play with a clear identity. Dortmund, in contrast, don’t.
Many of the problems Borussia Dortmund are experiencing right now can be traced all the way back to the exit of Jurgen Klopp seven years ago, but Rose could still do more to get better out of his team. If this season has been a transitional one, as many at the club argue, then next season must demonstrate what the Black and Yellows are transitioning to.
