Dortmund Extends Niko Kovac’s Contract After Impressive Season

Borussia Dortmund has confirmed that coach Niko Kovac will remain at the helm, extending his contract until June 2027.

Lars Ricken, Dortmund’s managing director for sport, expressed his confidence in Kovac, stating on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, that Kovac is fully committed to the club.

Ricken highlighted Kovac’s extensive football knowledge, clear principles, honesty, direct communication style, and appreciation for strong performances as key factors in the decision.

Kovac, who boasts a successful track record with Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt, took charge in February following a challenging start to the season under Nuri Sahin that saw the team sitting in 11th place. Under Kovac’s leadership, the team demonstrated greater resilience and improved significantly, ultimately securing Champions League qualification with a fourth-place finish.

Ricken emphasized that the club is once again on an upward trajectory with Kovac at the helm.

However, Dortmund’s preparations for the current season have been hampered by a series of defensive injuries, affecting key players such as Nico Schlotterbeck, Niklas Süle, and Emre Can. Furthermore, Filippo Mané, a stand-in defender, received a red card during his Bundesliga debut against St. Pauli last weekend and will be suspended for the upcoming match against Union Berlin on Sunday, August 31, 2025.

Despite Mané’s dismissal, Dortmund managed to secure a 3-3 draw against St. Pauli.

In related news, Jobe Bellingham’s father reportedly engaged in a heated discussion with Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl regarding the decision to substitute his son at halftime during a recent game. Ricken confirmed that the matter has been resolved.

Additionally, reports suggest that the club is in discussions with Chelsea regarding the potential signing of Argentine central defender Aaron Anselmino to address their current defensive shortages.

Looking ahead, Kovac expressed his optimism and determination.

“We believe that we can achieve something truly special here, together with the club and our passionate fans,” the 53-year-old coach stated. “The discussions we’ve had in recent weeks have solidified my belief that, building upon our progress thus far, we can establish long-term success at this club. Our goal is to contribute to restoring Borussia to its former glory.”