Borussia Dortmund interim coach Mike Tullberg has called on his players to “play with passion” and “enjoy playing football” in Saturday’s Bundesliga clash against Werder Bremen.
Dortmund parted ways with former manager Nuri Sahin on Wednesday following a dismal four-game losing streak across all competitions, including a 2-1 Champions League defeat to Bologna on Tuesday.
The loss dropped Dortmund to 14th in their Champions League group with 12 points from seven matches. This is only their second four-game losing streak in 30 years, the last being a six-game run in 2000.
Now under the temporary leadership of former youth coach Tullberg, Dortmund will aim for their first victory of 2025 as they host Bremen.
“The players have not forgotten how to play football,” Tullberg said during the pre-match press conference.
“My job is to give them courage and the team to give it all on Saturday. To play with passion and enjoy playing football.”
Dortmund currently sit 10th in the Bundesliga table with 25 points from 18 games, their lowest tally at this stage of the season since 2014/2015, when they had just 16 points. With only one win in their last seven league matches, they are in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification that same 14/15 season when they finished seventh in the Bundesliga.
“What came before me matters little,” Tullberg said about BVB’s recent form.
“Now it is all about the next two or three days. That is my job. To coach the team until Saturday.
“I am not here to present myself because I am now an interim coach at Borussia Dortmund.
“I am here to help the players, help the club. Now it is about going out to win the game on Saturday.”
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