Niko Kovac Admits He’s Powerless to Stop Nico Schlotterbeck Joining Liverpool or Bayern Munich as Uncertainty Grows

As Borussia Dortmund head into what could be one of their most decisive weeks of the season, Niko Kovac finds himself juggling more than just tactical plans for the Bundesliga showdown against a red-hot Bayer Leverkusen side. The spotlight has shifted sharply onto defender Nico Schlotterbeck, whose future is becoming one of the most pressing issues at the club.

With contract talks reaching a frustrating standstill and interest from both Bayern Munich and Liverpool intensifying, Dortmund now face a scenario they’ve been desperate to avoid: potentially losing one of their most important players, one who was expected to anchor the club’s defence for years to come.

Schlotterbeck’s contract runs until 2027, which on paper should give Dortmund leverage. But football rarely follows the logic of paperwork, and the defender’s hesitation to commit his long-term future has created a window for Europe’s biggest sides to make their approach. Liverpool are keeping close tabs as they re-evaluate their back line, while Bayern—ever the opportunists when Dortmund’s stars begin to waver—are circling with intent.

Kovac Hit With Schlotterbeck Questions Ahead of Leverkusen Clash

Borussia Dortmund Training Session And Press Conference – UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4

Naturally, the story dominated Kovac’s press conference before the Leverkusen game. A match this important should’ve centred on tactical talking points, league positioning, momentum, and the challenge of stopping a high-flying opponent. Instead, Kovac found himself fielding questions about whether his star defender is preparing to pack his bags.

His response was strikingly honest:

“I don’t know to what extent I can influence things there—other than showing him appreciation. I show him that every day.”

There was no defensiveness in his tone, no attempt to dodge the topic. Kovac sounded like a coach who knows that the modern transfer market is bigger than loyalty or control. He added:

“He knows what we have in him. But he also knows what he has in the club. I’m optimistic, but only time will tell. I’m not a fortune teller. Let’s wait and see.”

This kind of transparency is rare, especially before such a high-stakes match, but it underlines the gravity of Dortmund’s situation. The club desperately want to keep Schlotterbeck. The player, however, wants assurances that the project matches his ambitions.

The Root of Schlotterbeck’s Hesitation

From the outside, the defender’s reluctance seems complicated, but internally the reasons are clear: sporting ambition, tactical fit, and long-term trust. Dortmund have reportedly offered him a significant pay rise and even dangled the prospect of eventually inheriting the captain’s armband. Still, Schlotterbeck hasn’t signed.

Earlier this season, he made a telling comment: the team “needs to play more football.” It was subtle, but it openly challenged Dortmund’s style of play and hinted at his view that the club isn’t consistently competing at the level required to win major titles.

Sporting director Sebastian Kehl has tried to fast-track the process, stressing that the club want clarity before Christmas. His tone, too, suggested urgency:

“We are trying to provide conditions that offer Schlotti an attractive environment… Ultimately, a decision will have to be made.”

The message is clear: the club cannot allow this to drag on indefinitely—not with Bayern lurking, and not with Liverpool testing the waters.

Bayern’s Push, Liverpool’s Interest, and Market Pressure

Every major transfer story has its turning point, and for this one, Bayern Munich have entered the frame at full speed. With Dayot Upamecano’s contract extension stalled due to a significant gap in signing-fee demands, Bayern are already drawing up alternatives. Schlotterbeck sits at the very top of that list.

Bild reported that Schlotterbeck is seriously considering a move to Munich. That won’t shock anyone familiar with Bundesliga history; Bayern have a habit of weakening direct rivals by absorbing their best talent. For players, the lure is always the same—titles, Champions League competitiveness, financial stability, and consistency.

Schlotterbeck’s second preferred destination, according to reports, is England. That’s where Liverpool come into the picture. With Ibrahima Konaté linked with a potential exit and Virgil van Dijk entering the latter stages of his career, the Reds are preparing for the next evolution of their back line. Schlotterbeck is seen as a strong fit: technically sound, athletic, press-resistant, and experienced at Champions League level.

The timing couldn’t be worse for Dortmund. The club now head into a crucial stretch of matches—two back-to-back encounters with Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal—that could significantly influence Schlotterbeck’s thinking. If Dortmund stumble while Bayern and Leverkusen continue to accelerate, the defender may conclude that his ambitions will be better served elsewhere.

Dortmund’s Form and the Wider Picture

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Dortmund’s recent performances have been as up-and-down as their contract negotiations. A superb 4–0 Champions League win over Villarreal showcased their attacking potential, but it came after a tense, scrappy league draw against Stuttgart that felt like a step backwards.

Meanwhile, Leverkusen are thriving under Kasper Hjulmand. They’ve won six of their last seven Bundesliga games and recently stunned Manchester City 2–0 at the Etihad—a result that sent shockwaves across Europe. Dortmund face them twice in a matter of days, and those matches might not only dictate their season, but also the future of their key defender.

Despite the noise, Kovac has tried to ground the squad. He praised Leverkusen’s pace, adaptability, and tactical sharpness, acknowledging that his team must be disciplined to keep pace. He noted improvements in Dortmund’s structure and mentality, highlighting players like Julian Brandt, Fabio Silva, and emerging talent Aaron Anselmino as examples of internal growth.

Still, everyone knows the Schlotterbeck question looms over all of this. Dortmund’s defensive identity is built partly around him; losing him would trigger the need for a complete reconstruction.

What Happens If Schlotterbeck Stays—or Leaves?

If Schlotterbeck chooses to remain, he’s likely to become Dortmund’s highest-paid player and a legitimate candidate for the captain’s role in the near future. His leadership qualities, combined with his consistency, make him central to the club’s long-term planning.

But if he leaves—particularly for Bayern—the consequences would be seismic. Dortmund would not only lose a top-level defender, but also hand their biggest domestic rival another advantage. If he goes to Liverpool, the financial compensation would be strong, but it would still leave a major hole that isn’t easy to fill.

Dortmund have survived big departures before—Jude Bellingham, Erling Haaland, Jadon Sancho, Robert Lewandowski—but constantly rebuilding is not a sustainable model for winning titles. Schlotterbeck’s decision will therefore speak volumes about where the club stands, both internally and in Europe.

A Defining Chapter Approaches

Niko Kovac’s promise to “show him appreciation every day” is sincere, but even he knows appreciation only goes so far in today’s football landscape. Results matter. Ambition matters. Project stability matters. And players like Schlotterbeck—who is entering his prime years—want guarantees that their clubs can fulfil those ambitions.

As Dortmund prepare for their defining clashes with Leverkusen, the feeling around the club is mixed—hope, anxiety, determination, and an urgent sense of trying to hold onto something precious before it’s gone.

Whether Schlotterbeck stays to become a leader at Dortmund, or leaves in search of immediate title contention, his decision will shape the club’s future far beyond this season.

For now, all Kovac and Dortmund can do is wait—and keep showing that appreciation he mentioned. The rest, as he put it, is out of their hands.