When Niko Kovac was introduced to Nuri Sahin at Borussia Dortmund, there was a lot of skepticism and then a weak start. The picture turned completely.
Borussia Dortmund and his coaches – this has never been sustainable since Jürgen Klopp “Real love”became true to the club slogan. Edin Terzic came closest to it, he was in the south curve as a child and has been with BVB DFB Cup winner, almost master and made it to the final of the Champions League in recent years. However, he was not enough for the club, after last season it was over for him.
Many great coaches have not found their luck in Dortmund
With Thomas Tuchel, Peter Bosz, Peter Stöger, Lucien Favre and Marco Rose there were almost no feelings, apart from the successes that some of them had. Nuri Sahin was supposed to shape a new era as a former youth player and professional of Dortmund and failed. But his successor is creating something that many had not thought possible, which is why he makes his hearts beat faster at least for the moment.
When Niko Kovac was presented as a new coach, more skepticism as optimism around the club was swung – and those responsible themselves did not seem entirely convinced of the idea. It was unanimously reported that the BVB bosses wanted to keep the collaboration as short-term as possible, while Kovac at least demanded a little long-term. This resulted in a contract until summer 2026.
Kovac is planning “medium and gladly in the long term” with the BVB “
The 53-year-old last said “A shorter term was not an option from both sides”whether this was the case or the BVB could have imagined the reports less – there was no confession in the long run in the obligation. Kovac did not see himself as a fireman, but he looked ahead. “My goal was to arrive here at Borussia Dortmund, to flee the ship again and then to deliver very good work in the medium and gladly in the long term”said Kovac the “Ruhr Nachrichten”.
Niko Kovac stands in front of the south stand
And the coach, who won the DFB Cup with Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Bayern Munich, made the double, himself ensured that the prospects for it are getting better and better. From his first six games in the Bundesliga, Kovac had only scored six points with the BVB, the critics already felt confirmed. Perhaps it was even the case that only the successes in the Champions League, in which BVB under the Sahin successor survived the intermediate round and the round of 16, survived its superiors somewhat.
Above all, the BVB has increased significantly
But the Borussians have been presenting themselves very differently for a month. The team no longer plays divened, it is reliable, successful, game, fighting and running strong- Kovac has taught its critics better. The development is enormous, which can not only be read on the basis of the points of 13 out of 15 possible points in the past five games. The players follow their trainer, who presses the buttons that you obviously have to press at this squad.
In the past five league games, BVB players ran an average of 121.8 kilometers per game, in his first six games it was 115.4 kilometers. They sprint around 15 percent more (254 to 220 sprints per game) and the exploitation of opportunities has increased tremendously, is 31 percent in the period, before that it was 12 percent. The latter is a proof that Kovac and the results have gained enormous confidence to the players.
This was created by the fact that the top -class stars trust the approach of their trainer, follow the path – and because Kovac has strengthened their backs. An example is Julian Brandt, who was under huge criticism. It was not unjustified because the offensive midfielder could not begin to call up his class, but of course stressful. “Julian continues to have the status that he had before”said Kovac and protected Brandt.
Captain Can now lead verbally and with performance
And the coach made it that has been calm about Emre Can for the long time. For months, the captain was the number one topic around BVB, now he is a top defense in central defense and is stable for the team every week. Can go back and off the square because, like Brandt, who last shone again at TSG Hoffenheim, he feels the necessary security for this through Kovac.
“We are now attacking the Champions League. This is our goal. We cannot say now, we don’t want to play internationally next year and no Champions League. We have a lot to catch up, we have screwed up a lot this season, so we need every point”said Can last. And also with this project there are free rail from Kovac: “I believe that the team is willing and that it has the opportunity to achieve all the goals we have set.”
Dortmund’s remaining program: Wolfsburg, Leverkusen, Kiel
When Kovac came, they were very far away, after his first six Bundesliga games as Dortmund coach they were even further away – but now they are very close. The BVB is sixth and has only three points behind in fourth place, which would ensure the seventh Champions League qualification in the past eight years.
On Saturday, Kovac and Dortmund against VfL Wolfsburg (6.30 p.m., live in the AudioStream on sportschau.de) can take the next step of a path that was almost no longer possible. The final games at Bayer Leverkusen and Holstein Kiel follow, then the club World Cup continues – with the certainty of a future in the premier class in the back?
BVB boss Watzke is committed to Kovac
Kovac obviously gives BVB a lot – and the club is giving it more and more trust. “What he has done with us over the past few months is exceptional and we would have to be completely stupid if we thought about something else. It goes on with him. Of course” Of course “now made BVB head Hans-Joachim Watzke clear in the ZDF sports studio.
Watzke was always the symbol of the search for a new Klopp in Dortmund. Some coaches, especially Tuchel, should also have failed that the 65-year-old did not warm with them. It is open whether this will succeed with Kovac. It was none “Real love” At first glance, but it is currently one at second glance. How long she may hold.