BERLIN - Borussia Dortmund are poised to punish midfielder Sebastian Rode after he publicly said coach Peter Stoeger looked set to leave at the end of the season.
"We will call him in for talks and sanction him accordingly," Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke told football magazine kicker on Monday.
Stoeger was appointed December until the end of the campaign to replace the sacked Peter Bosz but speculation has swirled that Nice boss Lucien Favre will take over in July.
"The impression he gives in the dressing room makes us think that next season we will have a new coach," Rode told Sky TV on Sunday.
Dortmund have consistently said no decision has been taken over whether Stoeger stays or a new coach comes in.
The Black and Yellows sit third in the Bundesliga but are yet to confirm a Champions League spot for next term with one game left this season - at rivals Hoffenheim this Saturday.