Why Tottenham dodged Sebastian Kehl bullet as expert verdict dropped

Tottenham Hotspur were rejected by former Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl last month.

Spurs would secure their Premier League safety at the back end of the 2025-26 season, with Roberto De Zerbi steadying the ship.

Following the dismal spells of Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor, the Lilywhites were left in disarray, leaving the incoming Italian with a lot of work to do.

Having left his role at Borussia Dortmund earlier this season, ex-BVB midfielder Kehl would reject the position of sporting director at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, due to the power handed to new boss De Zerbi.

Spending almost 25 years in various roles on and off the pitch at the Westfalenstadion, Kehl would have been someone to organise Spurs, though ambition would not have exactly been expected.

And looking back at the rejection fans in North London have been told exactly why they should be thankful ahead of the coming season

Expert provides Sebastian Kehl insight after Tottenham rejection

Tottenham have started the transfer window like a house on fire, with the likes of Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Jan Paul van Hecke all arriving so far.

This could have been ever so different had Kehl came through the door.

Speaking exclusively to Tottenham News, German football writer and Borussia Dortmund expert at Bulinews, Ultán Corcoran, provided some insight on the former midfielder.

"I think it's a 50/50 one," he said, when asked about Kehl's time as sporting director.

"He pulled off some excellent signings over the years in Serhou Guirassy, Julian Ryerson, Felix Nmecha and Nico Schlotterbeck and gave the club some stability.

"Equally, he got a few moves wrong too. His influence seemed to wane as time went on. He would have more frequent clashes with other members of the board which started around the time Edin Terzic took charge."

Having turned down Tottenham due to there being too much power given to De Zerbi, it is unlikely that the pair would have lasted all too long together.

Corcoran alluded to the possibility of this when he said that: "He [Kehl] and Lars Ricken never really seemed to see eye to eye."

Managing director for sport, Ricken's role would overlap quite often with Kehl, and while the BVB structure does not exactly help, it is clear that a similar situation would have taken place at Spurs, with manager De Zerbi having the ultimate say on transfers.

Have Tottenham made the right decision with transfer plan?

As extensively covered by Tottenham News this summer, Spurs have been showing serious ambition in the transfer window.

And it is not just the signings made that show a real change in direction, but the speed in which they have been sealed.

Had someone else had the final say over De Zerbi, this may not have happened.

The Italian played an integral role in bringing compatriot Tonali to the club, alongside Fernandes.

Kehl's ambition was questioned in the Ruhrpott, and there is no guarantee that these signings would have been made had he been appointed.

For now, Spurs look to be on a strong track, and fans have every reason to feel the excitement ahead of the season.