Explained: Why Mats Hummels is leaving Borussia Dortmund as a free agent

It has been a turbulent last 36 hours for German side Borussia Dortmund as the club had two massive departures in head coach Edin Terzic and star defender Mats Hummels with the latter leaving on Friday (June 14). The development was followed by the arrival of Nuri Sahin as the new head coach of the side signing a three-year deal. But what prompted Hummels to leave despite having a solid season where he was even Player of the Match in the Champions League semifinal?

Thank you, Mats 💛 pic.twitter.com/LyqOYQtHNH — Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) June 14, 2024

Hummels leaves on a sorry note

One of the key and primary reasons for Hummels’ departure was his spat with then-head coach Edin Terzic before the Champions League final. The defender called Terzic out for playing a 'submissive' and 'inferior' brand of football. A Bild report claimed that Terzic was so enraged by Hummels' comments that a violent confrontation ensued between them.

The club interfered in the matter and closed the issue so that they could focus on the Champions League final that took place at Wembley Stadium on June 1.

Another key reason for the defender's departure could be his age as he turns 36 before the end of the year. With age being a big factor in the team’s plans, the board reckoned that there was not much time for football left in the former Bayern Munich player. They wanted a young center-back in his position which could have prompted the exit of the player.

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Another reason for Dortmund to part ways with Hummels was thatthe club wanted to give a clear message to the dressing roomthat ‘no indiscipline’ will be tolerated by any senior or junior player.

Hummels left Dortmund for boyhood side Bayern Munich in 2016 and returned in 2019. He joins another Dortmund veteran, forward Marco Reus, to leave the club this season. He made 508 appearances during his two spells at the club and scored 38 goals in all competitions while playing in two Champions League finals.