Niko Kovac returns to the Bundesliga as the new head coach of Borussia Dortmund after a 322-day break since leaving VfL Wolfsburg. He stresses the importance of determination and hard work, bringing his brother Robert as co-coach. Kovac signed a long-term contract until June 2026, replacing Nuri Sahin. Previously, he faced challenges at Wolfsburg and Monaco but achieved success with Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayern Munich, including a DFB-Pokal victory and a Bundesliga title. His mission is to enhance player performance and restore Dortmund’s consistency.
Niko Kovac is making a comeback to the Bundesliga after a 322-day hiatus since his departure from VfL Wolfsburg. Known for his ‘tough guy’ persona, the opening lines of Borussia Dortmund’s official announcement hint at the rigorous work ahead for his new squad.
Kovac emphasized the necessity of a strong will, a big heart, and a commitment to hard work in his first remarks as head coach of Borussia Dortmund. The 53-year-old has brought on board his brother and former BVB player Robert Kovac as co-coach, along with Filip Tapalovic, to assist in guiding the eight-time German champions.
After being without a coaching role for more than ten months, Kovac steps in to replace Nuri Sahin, who was dismissed by Borussia Dortmund a week prior. The Berlin native has signed a contract with BVB until June 30, 2026, and is set to take charge of the team following the Bundesliga match in Heidenheim next Sunday.
Kovac was not interested in a temporary role; reports indicate he declined to sign a contract that only extended until the end of the season, highlighting his long-term vision for the club.
Departure from Wolfsburg
Most recently, Kovac served as head coach at VfL Wolfsburg. His tenure ended after a disappointing run of just six victories in 26 matches, leading to a drop to 14th place in the standings. The club, which had hoped for a European Cup berth at the season’s start, decided to cut ties with Kovac in March 2024.
Prior to his stint at Wolfsburg, Kovac managed AS Monaco from July 2020 until December 2021, where he led the team to the French Cup final, only to fall 0:2 against Paris Saint-Germain.
Beginnings in Salzburg
Kovac launched his coaching career in the summer of 2009, taking the helm of the second team at Red Bull Salzburg after concluding his playing days.
From October 2013 to September 2015, he acted as the head coach of the Croatian national team, with his brother Robert serving as his assistant. The duo successfully led Croatia to the 2014 World Cup, although they were eliminated in the group stage in Brazil.
Successful Tenure at Eintracht Frankfurt
Kovac took over as head coach of Eintracht Frankfurt in March 2016, stepping in during a challenging period when the team was in 16th place. He successfully guided them through relegation playoffs against 1. FC Nürnberg, securing their Bundesliga status with a 1:1 draw at home and a 1:0 win away.
In the subsequent season, Kovac led Eintracht to the DFB-Pokal final, where they narrowly lost 1:2 to Borussia Dortmund.
DFB-Pokal Victory with Frankfurt
The following year marked a significant milestone for Kovac as he achieved a remarkable victory with Eintracht. Reaching the DFB-Pokal final for the second consecutive year, he faced FC Bayern Munich, his future club, on May 19, 2018, and triumphed with a 3:1 scoreline.
Nico Kovac celebrated the DFB-Pokal victory with Eintracht Frankfurt.
In the summer of 2018, Kovac transitioned to Bayern Munich, succeeding Jupp Heynckes. Under his leadership, Bayern secured the Supercup but faced early Champions League exit against FC Liverpool. Nonetheless, Kovac guided his team to the DFB-Pokal final, marking his third consecutive appearance in the final.
Double Success with Bayern Munich
During the 2018/2019 Bundesliga season, Kovac orchestrated a remarkable comeback, overcoming a nine-point deficit to Borussia Dortmund. The team clinched the championship on the final matchday with a decisive 5:1 victory against Frankfurt, marking Kovac’s first title as a head coach.
Just a week after securing the league title, Kovac also led Bayern to DFB-Pokal victory over Leipzig. With this achievement, he joined Hansi Flick as one of the few individuals to win the double both as a player and a coach.
Nico Kovac celebrating the German championship win.
However, after a 1:5 defeat at Frankfurt in early November 2019, Bayern decided to part ways with Kovac, leaving him in fourth place after ten matchdays.
Kovac’s Mission: Enhancing Player Performance
As Niko Kovac takes on the challenge of reviving a Dortmund squad that has been struggling for consistency, the question remains whether he is the right fit for the task. Known for his straightforward communication, he has sometimes created friction within teams. His time in Munich ended with a significant portion of the squad opposing him, and his tactical approach did not yield positive results in Wolfsburg. Notably, he has only enjoyed a prolonged stay of over 1.5 years at one club, which was at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Sebastian Kehl, the sports director, expressed optimism about Kovac’s arrival, stating, “We have high hopes that we can collect as many points as possible in the coming weeks to gradually climb back up the table.” He emphasized the need for Kovac to elevate the performance levels of the current squad, which he believes is significantly stronger than their recent results suggest.
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