Fortuna Düsseldorf facing next turning point: Sven Mislintat reportedly on the verge of leaving

Just one week after relegation, the next personnel decision is looming at Fortuna Düsseldorf. According to consistent media reports, sporting director Sven Mislintat is about to part ways with the club. On Sunday (May 24), an amicable solution could be announced. An official statement from Fortuna or those involved was not available as of 12 p.m.

The personnel issue is particularly explosive because of the timing: The rebuilding for the 3rd division must be organized in a short period of time – and at the same time, a labor dispute with the former coaching team led by Markus Anfang is ongoing.

The unresolved leadership question hits Fortuna at the worst possible moment

Sportingly, the club is under pressure after relegation. Within the club environment, it is considered certain that the squad must be significantly rebuilt. It is also said that only a minority of players even have contracts for the 3rd division. At the same time – with the season starting in early August – about a dozen players still need to be signed.

Exactly in this phase, continuity in sporting management is a factor that directly translates into negotiations: Anyone signing a new player wants to know who will be responsible for the squad strategy in the long term and what role a player will have in the project. If this responsibility remains unclear, planning becomes a gamble for the coming days – and in a summer with a tight timeframe, that is a structural risk.

Samir Arabi is being discussed as a possible successor

The trade magazine kicker brought his name into play. Arabi was managing director of sport at Arminia Bielefeld from 2011 to 2023 and has been without a permanent position since then. Neither a successor solution nor the separation itself has been confirmed.

Mislintat's claim after relegation – and the possible break

Immediately after relegation, Mislintat had still indicated that he wanted to lead the rebuilding. "I'm not one of those who run away after relegation," he said. Should the separation actually occur, this statement would stand in striking contrast to developments.

Apparently, the internal interplay also plays a role in assessing the situation: In the club's environment, it is described that the board and supervisory board considered Mislintat's approach too fast and too bold, while Mislintat felt his plans were being slowed down. In this area of tension, a "mutual agreement to part ways" would seem less like a one-off event – but rather the consequence of an unresolved dispute over the direction of how Fortuna should organize and structure its restart both organizationally and sportingly.

The Markus Anfang case increases the pressure even more

In addition to sporting and structural uncertainty, there is another construction site. Markus Anfang and his assistant coach are suing against their premature dismissal. Upon request, this was confirmed by Anfang's legal counsel. It is also said that it could be about contract clauses that were previously discussed with Klaus Allofs. Settlement hearings scheduled for early June are said to have been canceled in the meantime.

For Fortuna, this is more than a sideshow. A legal dispute ties up attention, can entail financial risks, and makes clear communication both internally and externally more difficult – precisely at a time when the club should be projecting reliability in order to properly organize squad decisions, budget issues, and sporting responsibilities.

If the separation from Mislintat is confirmed, it would not just be another personnel change. It would intensify the central question of who will manage the operational squad work in Düsseldorf in the short term – and who will be responsible for the rebuilding in the 3rd division both politically and sportingly.