Credit: Imago

Declan Carr

Sat 23 May 2026 8:10, UK

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a move for Sebastian Kehl to bolster their sporting leadership.

The German is a free agent after leaving Borussia Dortmund by mutual consent, and could take over Fabio Paratici’s position, after he left at the end of the winter window.

Dougie Freedman is another who has been touted for the sporting director role to work alongside Johan Lange, or perhaps take over the post.

Lange and Vinai Venkatesham are under major pressure at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and could depart in the summer.

That opens up a space where either Kehl or Freedman could join Tottenham, or they could join anyway if the duo stay put.

Sebastian Kehl issue raised as Tottenham eye move

John Wenham believes Freedman should be the standout for the Tottenham sporting director role, rather than Kehl, who he has raised doubts about.

Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, he said: “By all accounts, his record is pretty underwhelming.

“It seems like a risk to me, I’d rather bring in somebody who has experience of working within the Premier League before, or playing in the Premier League, rather than another outsider who played in the Bundesliga, and obviously has experience in the German League.

“We operate in a very different market here, and unfortunately, players from the German League, as we’ve seen ourselves this year with Florian Wirtz, Xavi Simons, Timo Werner with Chelsea before, they take time to establish themselves in this league.

“But equally, two of Tottenham’s best signings in recent years have been Dimitar Berbatov and Heung-Min Son, who came straight from the Bundesliga, so, it is swings and roundabouts with that.

“But I would rather there was somebody with a background in English football who was appointed, I think Dougie Freedman, the chap that was at Palace, and is now in the Middle East somewhere, that would be a much, much better move for Tottenham than Sebastian Kehl.”

What is Kehl’s record at Dortmund?

Wenham is right about Kehl’s record, he struggles with the Black Yellow with supporters criticising most of his transfers.

He started well, bringing in the likes of Karim Adeyemi, Nico Schlotterbeck and Julian Ryerson, who started the 2-0 Champions League final, but his record after that did not impress.

The double model, if Lange is still around, may also be tricky for the 46-year-old as he did not work effectively with his superior, Lars Ricken, which does not bode well for a move to North London.

Given Freedman’s record at Palace, where he brought in the likes of Adam Wharton, Eberechi Eze, Mark Guehi and Michael Olise, he is a better alternative, like Wenham suggested.