Bundesliga: Niko Kovac continues the adventure on the Dortmund bench until 2029

Croatian Niko Kovac, 54, extended his contract as coach of Borussia Dortmund for two seasons until the summer of 2029, where he arrived in February 2025, the BVB announced in a press release.

“Since taking office a little over a year and a half ago, Niko Kovac and I have been on a very good path. He has constantly made the team progress and enjoys great recognition within our club,” underlined sporting director Lars Ricken, quoted in the press release, referring to a “clear signal of continuity and stability” with this extension.

“Together we have started a clear evolution, and we have laid important foundations for the future. This is what we want to build on,” said Niko Kovac.

After two seasons (2022/24) with Edin Terzic on the bench, marked by a 2nd place in the Bundesliga (loss of the title on the last day) and a lost Champions League final in 2024, Borussia appointed Nuri Sahin at the start of summer 2024.

The former Dortmund player was, however, dismissed at the end of January 2025 for insufficient results and was replaced by Kovac at the beginning of February.

Initially appointed until the summer of 2026, Kovac was extended for the first time at the end of August 2025 until the end of the 2026/27 season.

For his first half-season, Kovac saved qualification for the 2025/26 Champions League at the last minute.

Last season, he took 2nd place in the Bundesliga, 16 points behind the untouchable Bayern (73 pts against 89).

Beaten at the end of August by Bayern (2-1) in the Super Cup, Borussia Dortmund has since won six matches (four in the Bundesliga, one in the Champions League and one in the Cup) for a draw, and occupies 2nd place in the championship, two points ahead of Bayern (13 against 11) after five days.