Dortmund manager fumes as Erik ten Hag eyed to replace him - 'It's disgraceful'

Borussia Dortmund boss Nuri Sahin was left fuming with his side's performance in their defeat by Holstein Kiel - with Erik ten Hag reportedly being eyed to replace him.

The Bundesliga giants sit ninth after losing to their relegation-threatened opponents. Sahin's side trailed 3-0 after just 45 minutes before Giovanni Reyna and Jamie Gittens hit back for Dortmund.

Former Blackburn and Tottenham midfielder Lewis Holtby was sent off for Holstein as BVB searched for an equaliser. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel even ventured forward for a stoppage time corner but was punished as Jann-Fiete Arpp scored from his own half to secure a 4-2 victory for 10-man Holstein Kiel.

"It is disgraceful how we performed here," a frustrated Sahin said following the match. "That is not worthy of a club like Borussia Dortmund—from the first to the last minute. There is nothing more to say.

"As a player, you don’t have much say in a performance like that — and not as a coach either. It’s my responsibility. It’s absolutely disgraceful."

Sahin, 36, took over the Dortmund job in the summer when Edin Terzic stepped down after leading the side to the Champions League final last term. The former Liverpool midfielder lamented his team's inability to produce good performances and his style of play on a consistent basis.

"It is far too soon after the game to say why the team is not implementing it," he said. "The question is why we are not able to implement it every three days. We have shown time and again what we can do, but at the moment we don’t know what the outcome will be. That takes a lot of energy and a lot of points."

Dortmund's struggles have seen speculation over Sahin's position, and ex-Manchester United boss Ten Hag is said to already be offering his expertise. The Dutchman is said to be working as a 'shadow coach' and was present for the side's 3-2 loss against Bayer Leverkusen.

Sky Germany report that Ten Hag has a 'very good' relationship with Dortmund advisor and former captain Matthias Sammer. That has only added fuel to talk he could replace Sahin.

Ten Hag met Sammer during his previous stint in Germany. The former Ajax coach was in charge of Bayern Munich's B side when Pep Guardiola was at the club.

Dortmund next make the trip to Eintracht Frankfurt in search of points before Champions League action returns. The German team take on Bologna and remain in contention to qualify automatically for the last 16.