London holds a special place in the heart of Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic.
He spent two years in the capital as assistant to Slaven Bilic at West Ham between 2015 and 2017 and returns looking to complete one of the most remarkable stories in Champions League history.
Few gave Dortmund a prayer of conquering Europe at the start of the season, but Terzic is 90 minutes away from doing just that with a team who finished fifth in the Bundesliga.
It has been an incredible rise for the 41-year-old boyhood Dortmund fan who learned the ropes under Jurgen Klopp and Bilic.
He spent most of his playing career in the German lower divisions and started out as a scout at Dortmund under Klopp before becoming Bilic’s No2 at Besiktas and West Ham. Bilic trusted him, letting him lead sessions and speak in team meetings.
Terzic was only 32 when he joined West Ham, but he commanded respect because of his work rate and desire to improve players. His insatiable passion for football stood out to everyone at the club, including Mark Noble.
“You could tell straight away he was obsessed,” said former Hammers skipper Noble last year. “After games we would sit and talk on the pitch for hours about formations, the way we played, how we can get better.
“You knew that he would be successful, because he loved the game so much. You could tell he loved everything that comes with it. He wanted to be really successful and help people. It doesn’t surprise me how well he’s done.”
After leaving West Ham, Terzic earned his UEFA Pro Licence on a course run by the FA and then went back to Dortmund as assistant coach in 2018.
In 2020, he was appointed head coach on an interim basis and guided Dortmund to the German Cup and secured qualification for the Champions League.
You knew that he would be successful, because he loved the game so much
After a spell as technical director, he was reappointed in 2022 and finished last season in tears in front of the Yellow Wall after Dortmund blew the Bundesliga title on the final day.
A win at home against mid-table Mainz was all that was needed, but Dortmund drew 2-2 to hand the title to Bayern Munich.
“He’s got a love for that club that is pretty similar to me at West Ham,” said Noble after an experience that appeared to leave the manager broken.
At Wembley on Saturday, Terzic has a shot at redemption.
