It has already been reported, now Borussia Dortmund has also confirmed: Niko Kovač take over the black yellow. Managing Director Lars Ricken announced details.
BVB Managing Director Lars Ricken has announced on Live TV that Niko Kovač will be the new coach of Borussia Dortmund. “Yes, I can confirm that, we have found a fundamental agreement,” said Ricken after the 3-1 of the BVB in the Champions League against Schachtar Donetsk at DAZN. Previously, BILD, Sky and the SID had already reported on the personnel.
Rick on: “He will take over the team on Sunday.” This meant that interim coach Mike Tullberg would also sit on the bench in the upcoming Bundesliga game on Saturday at 1st FC Heidenheim, according to the BVB boss.
Ricken praised the previous U19 coach for his work as an interim solution: “So far it was the right decision to interfere with him as a trainer.” Against Heidenheim you want to confirm this impression with a win. “We would do it all, but especially Mike, because he has really done a top job so far. Now it continues with Niko on Sunday.” Kovač will be discussed with Kovač until the end of the transfer window.
Dortmund is the fourth coaching station of the Croatian in the Bundesliga. Previously, the 53-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt (2016-18), FC Bayern (2018-19) and VfL Wolfsburg (2022-24) looked after. As head coach, Kovač has once won the German Championship (2019), twice the DFB Cup (2018, 2019) and the Supercup (2018). In the black and yellow, Kovač succeeds the hapless Nuri Şahin, which was released last week. Şahin had only taken over BVB last summer.
Against Donetsk, BVB achieved a double pack of striker Serhou Guirassy (17th minute, 44.) and a wonderful lupfer by Ramy Bensebaini (79.). A heavy mistake by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel enabled Donetsk in the meantime the connection goal by Marlon Gomes (50th). The fifth Champions League victory in the eighth preliminary round game was balm for the wounds of the past few weeks.
Despite the victory, the BVB must now take the detour of the playoff round. There, in mid-February, either Sporting Lisbon or Club Bruges and thus feasible opponents are waiting for the Champions League finalists of the previous year.