Borussia Dortmund sees Bellingham’s preseason surge as club reflects on Bosz’s past collapse

Midfielder Jude Bellingham has impressed Borussia Dortmund’s staff during preseason, showing exceptional fitness after a holiday training program. Coaches and medical staff noted his superior physical condition and increased leadership on the pitch, with the English player guiding teammates in training drills and offering personal advice. The club’s hierarchy believes he could become a central figure in the midfield and a future leader for the squad.

The club also revisited the brief tenure of former manager Peter Bosz, who arrived in summer 2017 after a successful spell at Ajax. Bosz led Dortmund to an early-season surge, winning six of his first seven league matches and briefly challenging Bayern Munich. However, a combination of transfer chaos, internal discord, and tactical shortcomings—highlighted by the Ousmane Dembélé saga—led to a rapid decline, and he was dismissed after just 24 Bundesliga games.