Hamann backs Terzic after Dortmund decide to keep coach

Former Germany international Dietmar Hamann believes Borussia Dortmund's decision to retain coach Edin Terzic was right and that the players must now take more responsibility for their roller-coaster season.

The Black and Yellows, who narrowly missed out on the German title to Bayern Munich last season, have been superb in the Champions League but sit fifth in the Bundesliga having not won for four games.

Club sources told dpa that the decision to stick with Terzic was made at a meeting between the 41-year-old, chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke, sporting director Sebastian Kehl and club adviser Matthias Sammer on Thursday.

"Terzic did everything for his players, never said a critical word about them, he always protected them. But he was let down by them," Hamann told Sky.

"Dortmund have to scrutinize everything and have higher expectations of the players. If they don't fulfil them, the players have to go."

The 50-year-old pundit added: "It's always easy to look at the coaches, but the biggest problem is that there are too many players at Dortmund who overestimate themselves."

Dortmund return after the mid-season break with a trip to bottom side Darmstadt on January 13.