Dortmund sporting director openly criticizes Germany defender Süle

Borussia Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl expects defender Niklas Süle to significantly improve his performance in the coming weeks.

"I think things are slowly starting to click," Kehl told Sky on Sunday.

"Of course, we had hoped for more, especially in the last few months. Niklas can do more and I expect that from him in the coming months."

Kehl has had many conversations with the 28-year-old.

"He is very willing to work on it," he said in response to repeated criticism of Süle's size and fitness.

Despite an illness for Mats Hummels, Süle was initially on the bench for Dortmund's 3-0 win at Darmstadt on Saturday. Midfielder Emre Can played in central defence instead after Süle failed to impress in training.

"I saw that it upset him, but that's a good thing," Kehl said.

The former Bayern Munich man hopes to play for Germany in the home European Championship in June.

"Of course we will support him, but he also has to step on the gas himself," demanded Kehl.