BVB goalkeeper on changes

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Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has a good impression of his new coach Nuri Şahin. « He is doing a very good job and I have every confidence in him to help us move forward, » the Swiss said in an interview with « Ruhr Nachrichten ». The new coach of the Bundesliga club is very loud and demanding. « I think that is also something we need as a team. »

Şahin, who himself played professionally for Dortmund, succeeded Edin Terzic as BVB head coach. In January, he returns to Borussia as assistant coach. Şahin has a clear idea, says Kobel. « We really don’t have much time. But he tries to make the most of it. » As a goalkeeper, he works mainly with goalkeeping coach Matthias Kleinsteiber. « I have a lot to do with Nuri when it comes to building the game and it’s all about positional nuances, » says the 26-year-old. As far as the goalkeeper is concerned, these are rather minor issues.

Dortmund’s two long-time professionals, Mats Hummels (35) and Marco Reus (34), are no longer on the BVB pitch this season. « Marco and Mats have led a lot with their experience, » said Kobel. When these players are no longer part of the team, changes happen: « Now it is time for us to try together to bring a new, strong spirit into the team, perhaps also to breathe some fresh air. » strengthened this summer for 80 million euros in transfers: the newcomers to the 2024/25 squad are Maximilian Beier (21), Waldemar Anton (28), Serhou Guirassy (28), Pascal Groß (33) and Yan Couto (22), the most prominent departure is pitcher Niclas Filling (31).

Kobel, who arrived from VfB Stuttgart for 15 million euros in the summer of 2021, has a contract with the black and yellows until June 2028. In the past, the 26-year-old has occasionally been linked with FC Bayern. However, he does not want to have dealt specifically with this topic. « It is clear to me that I am at BVB and that I will give my all here. Of course, that’s (Site notre bureau spécialisé), you never know what will happen in the future. But it is very clear to me that I am here at BVB and that this is my goal 100 percent.

BVB: Kobel would also work elsewhere – among the most valuable goalkeepers

However, Kobel believes that it « would also work in other places ». Because: « I already have enough self-confidence. But that’s not the point. We don’t need to discuss anything. I’m here, I feel extremely comfortable and as long as I’m here, I will always give my best. » With a market value of 40 million euros, the Swiss is one of the four most valuable goalkeepers in the world. with Giorgi Mamardashvili (23) and Diogo Costa (24) at the top of the rankings with 45 million euros each.