Why isn't Borussia Dortmund sporting director Ole Book on the club's trip to Japan?
Borussia Dortmund have jetted off for their pre-season tour of Japan but new sporting director Ole Book wasn't on board.
Borussia Dortmund have jetted off for their pre-season tour of Japan but new sporting director Ole Book wasn't on board.
Sporting directors normally accompany the team on such trips, but instead Book is remaining in Germany to work on transfers with Dortmund’s squad planning for 2026/27 in full swing.
“We know what we want,” said Book, who was present for BVB’s 2-1 defeat against Fortuna Düsseldorf on Saturday, to the Sky Germany microphones. “It involves two attacking positions."
The two positions he is referring to have been vacated by Karim Adeyemi, who has joined Barcelona, and Julian Brandt, whose contract was not renewed, while youngsters and fellow attackers Cole Campbell and Julien Duranville have also been allowed to leave.
Joane Gadou remains Book’s only signing during his time at Dortmund so far, but the 40-year-old doesn’t want to rush into making hasty decisions, saying: “Timing is absolutely crucial.”
Watch: Ole Book's summer to-do list at Borussia Dortmund
In addition to Book, Diant Ramaj, Gregor Kobel, Ramy Bensebaini, Julian Ryerson, Marcel Sabitzer, Emre Can and Nico Schlotterbeck are also absent from the visit to Japan.
During their tour, BVB will play against partner club Cerezo Osaka on 29 July before travelling to play FC Tokyo in the capital on 1 August.
