Niko Kovac has a new employer. © APA/afp / RONNY HARTMANN

Niko Kovac new coach at Borussia Dortmund

Niko Kovac will be the new coach of Borussia Dortmund and will lead the proud club out of the crisis. The 53-year-old will succeed Nuri Sahin as head coach.

30 January 2025

From: dpa

U19 coach Mike Tullberg coached the team in the 2:2 draw against Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Saturday. Tullberg will also be on the bench on Saturday against 1. FC Heidenheim, as managing director Lars Ricken and sports director Sebastian Kehl announced before the Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk. After that, Kovac's time will begin.

He is taking on a difficult mission in Dortmund. The former coach of Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich and VfL Wolfsburg is now training a team that is lagging far behind its own expectations and those of its bosses this season. BVB is only in eleventh place in the Bundesliga.

BVB is far behind minimum target

Dortmund actually see themselves as challengers to FC Bayern Munich and champions Bayer Leverkusen in the title fight. However, they want to at least qualify for the Champions League - if only for financial reasons. However, they are already six points behind fourth place, which would qualify them for the premier class. In the DFB Cup, Dortmund were eliminated in the second round against VfL Wolfsburg. Kovac was fired from Wolfsburg in March 2024.

Nuri Sahin had to vacate his seat. © APA/afp / AXEL HEIMKEN

BVB parted ways with Sahin a week ago after the 1:2 defeat in the Champions League against FC Bologna. After four defeats at the start of the year, those in charge saw no other option than to continue without the 36-year-old.