Things with Borussia Dortmund have been quite surprising as of late. In the wake of Nuri Sahin, within the club, a decision was made: Mike Tullberg, coach of U-19, takes over first for Saturday's game against Werder Bremen. Although this may be a temporary fix, the question about the direction of the club and the potential of the coach is raised.
Follow Playing for 90 on X (Twitter).
Why Tullberg?
Tullberg was the right choice because it saved Dortmund the chaos of hastily trying to bring in some manager from outside. They turned to a man deeply ingrained with the values of the club and, more importantly, with its young talent pool: Tullberg does have a track record in developing rising talent, so his selection would be the most logical one for these challenging circumstances.
The Danish trainer has a lot of experience helping youngsters like Moukoko, now a senior at the club; Jamie Gittens, another first teamer to his credit in this season at the club; he was directly frank and exuding confidence speaking before the Dortmund game: "We don't need excuses. I need players ready to run." That statement needed some urgency with that energy going back into its form.
Journey of Tullberg
Tullberg had an injury-plagued playing career and played modestly for clubs such as Reggina and Heart of Midlothian. In contrast, his coaching career has been a different story. He has enjoyed considerable success since arriving at Dortmund in 2019, including winning the U-19 Bundesliga title in 2022, while his side finished as runner-up in both 2023 and 2024. He is known as a development specialist, as his work with youth players has made him an asset to his teams.
Tullberg is also an excellent motivator, a leader who knows how to bring a team together in tough moments. This trait will be put to the test on Saturday when he takes charge of the first team, considering this match carries heavy expectations.
Confidence or strategy?
By Friday's news conference, Tullberg was far from nervous. Direct in his answers and confident in his manner, he seemed to say he's ready for the challenge. Asked how he would work in younger players, Tullberg was concise: "We need everyone. It doesn't matter if I've coached them before. My staff and I will focus on picking the best team."
This optimism can be seen as an attempt at an injection of confidence in a squad that has seen better days. Tullberg seems to understand the weight of Dortmund's legacy and recognizes that more than tactical adjustments, the team needs a renewed fighting spirit.
Challenges at Signal Iduna Park
For Tullberg, the match against Werder Bremen will not be just a match. It will be his first proper test in the Bundesliga, staged under the bright lights of Signal Iduna Park and the famous Yellow Wall. This makes or breaks managers, the intense atmosphere adds another layer of pressure onto the occasion.
Dortmund are in an unstable period, and Tullberg's job will be not only to name the right players in his starting lineup but also balance between experience and youth, develop maximum potential from this inconsistent squad, and give results right away with high demand from the fans.
Temporary or something more?
Although Tullberg's appointment is only described as temporary, his display on Saturday may prove to be a gateway to something more as he looks to impress at a club so focused on young talent. That he is more than just a youth coach and that, even against experienced opponents, he can compete at the very highest level.
Throughout the history of soccer, there have been many, many cases when interim managers emerged as hot prospects to win permanent roles. In Tullberg's case, a convincing win on Saturday with a competitive and organized team might persuade Borussia Dortmund that he could be a long-term option.