Niko Kovac Takes Charge As Borussia Dortmund Coach Following Champions League Qualification

Add as a preferred source on Google

Niko Kovac is poised to become the new head coach of Borussia Dortmund, succeeding Nuri Sahin. This change comes after Dortmund's 3-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, which secured their spot in the play-offs. Despite finishing 10th in the league, this win was crucial for their progress.

Following a string of poor performances, including a loss to Bologna, Dortmund decided to part ways with Sahin. This marked their first consecutive defeats in the competition since November 2021 and extended their losing streak across all competitions to four matches. The club acted swiftly to address these setbacks.

Kovac brings extensive experience from his time in the Bundesliga, both as a player and manager. He has previously managed Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich, and Wolfsburg. His tenure at Wolfsburg ended in March 2024. He achieved notable success with Eintracht by winning the DFB Pokal in 2017-18 and led Bayern Munich to a Bundesliga title in 2018-19.

German media reported that Kovac is ready to step into his new role soon after kick-off against Shakhtar. Lars Ricken, Dortmund's managing director, confirmed this development on DAZN: "We have reached an agreement in principle with Niko Kovac; he will take over the team on Sunday."

In the interim period before Kovac assumes his duties, Mike Tullberg will continue leading the team. Tullberg stepped up from managing Dortmund's Under-19 squad following Sahin's departure. He will guide the team during their upcoming Bundesliga match against Heidenheim on Saturday.

Dortmund had not secured a victory in 2025 until their recent triumph over Shakhtar. Goals from Serhou Guirrasy and Ramy Bensebaini ensured their success. They are now set to face either Club Brugge or Sporting CP in the two-legged play-off round.

This transition marks Kovac's fourth managerial role within the Bundesliga. His previous experiences and achievements make him a promising candidate for revitalising Dortmund's performance as they aim for further success this season.