Former Stoke City boss lands job back at Champions League club
Paul Lambert has today released a statement expressing his delight at being back at Borussia Dortmund.
The former Stoke City boss was appointed last week as technical director Asia-Pacific for the club where he won the Champions League as a player. He has dabbled in punditry since his last managerial job came to an end at Ipswich Town in 2021, where he had been for two-and-a-half years.
Lambert had spent just over a season with Dortmund as a midfielder from 1996, emerging as a key figure under Ottmar Hitzfeld. He played an important role in a Champions League semi-final win over Manchester United and then did a lauded man-marking job on Zinedine Zidane as they beat Juventus for the trophy.
READ MORE: 'Exciting talent' completes Stoke City exit as transfer confirmed
READ MORE: Stoke City key man takes step closer to ending 10-month injury nightmare
He is a Celtic legend too and his coaching career has seen him take charge of Livingston, Wycombe Wanderers, Colchester United, Norwich, Aston Villa, Blackburn and Wolves before spells at Stoke and Ipswich.
He said in a statement: "Thrilled to announce my new role as technical director, Asia-Pacific, for Borussia Dortmund Football Club (BVB). This is an exciting opportunity to extend BVB’s renowned youth development philosophy across the region, building strong partnerships, activating existing sporting relationships, and delivering coaching expertise that helps young talent thrive both on and off the field.
"I’ve just returned from a thoroughly rewarding few days in Chennai, where we partnered a cultural exchange with Wynnum Wolves FC from Brisbane and the Murugappa Youth Football Academy (MYFA). It was inspiring to see young players from such diverse backgrounds training, competing, and, most importantly, building friendships through football. Watching them come together underscored the universal language of sport and its power to unite communities.
"At Borussia Dortmund, our philosophy extends beyond football excellence. It’s about developing fantastic human beings alongside potential first-team players. I’m excited to bring this ethos to Australasia, working with clubs, brands, leagues, and young players to build long-term success.
"Looking ahead, I’m eager to collaborate with those who share the same passion for football’s ability to inspire, unite, and transform. If you’re in the region and looking to develop your club or community through partnerships or coaching excellence, let’s connect. Together, we can create pathways that foster talent and make a meaningful difference."
While you're here, we have launched a new WhatsApp group to deliver the latest Stoke news directly to your phone. Click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in. If for some reason you decide you no longer want to be in our community, you can leave at any time by clicking on the name at the top of your screen and clicking 'Exit Group', simple as that.