‘We Play Attractive Football Again!’ – Borussia Dortmund Coach Niko Kovac Signs Contract Extension as Chief Hails Impact on Bundesliga Side

Niko Kovac and the Dortmund Revival

When Niko Kovac arrived at the Westfalenstadion in February 2025, there was little glamour or fanfare. Borussia Dortmund were stuck in 11th place in the Bundesliga, a shadow of the side that only two years prior had pushed Bayern Munich to the very brink of a title race. The dismissal of Nuri Sahin had left the club searching for stability and identity.

Kovac, known for his strict methods and tactical discipline, was hardly seen as a romantic appointment. Yet, six months later, Dortmund fans are not only celebrating a return to the Champions League, but also falling back in love with the way their team plays football. “We play attractive football again,” Kovac declared recently, echoing the very sentiments that supporters have longed to hear.

Now, with a new contract in hand that keeps him in charge until June 2027, Kovac is no longer a short-term fix but the architect of Dortmund’s next big project.

What Happened?

Dortmund confirmed the contract extension earlier this week, ending speculation about whether Kovac’s initial impact would translate into long-term commitment. His short-term contract, initially set to expire in 2026, has now been extended by another year after he guided Dortmund on an extraordinary run:

• Seven wins in their final eight Bundesliga matches,

• A late surge that propelled them into the top four,

• And a squad that rediscovered its intensity, discipline, and attacking balance.

The turnaround was not simply about results. Dortmund had become a side renowned for inconsistency—thrilling on some days, calamitous on others. Kovac, drawing on his experiences at Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich, and AS Monaco, instilled a new structure and authority.

His 3-4-2-1 system, a shape that allows defensive solidity without sacrificing creativity, has redefined the way Dortmund approach games. Pressing intensity has improved, defensive errors have been reduced, and the team’s fitness data is among the best in the Bundesliga.

What Lars Ricken Said

Sporting director Lars Ricken, himself a Dortmund icon, hailed Kovac’s impact in the club’s official announcement. His words carried not only praise but also a subtle acknowledgment of what had been missing before Kovac’s arrival:

“Niko has dedicated himself wholeheartedly to his role at BVB. He is a football expert with clear principles, fundamentally honest, straightforward in his communication, and rewards performance. Under his disciplined leadership, we have returned to winning ways, stabilized our defensive work, scored significantly more goals than before, and played attractive football again. From the very beginning, the negotiations were very fair, respectful, and solution-oriented. This mutual trust is the foundation of our collaboration.”

Ricken’s emphasis on discipline, honesty, and communication points to qualities Dortmund desperately needed. Too often, their talented squads have faltered under the weight of inconsistency. Kovac’s ability to enforce structure without stifling creativity has created balance.

Lars Ricken

The Bigger Picture: Dortmund’s Need for Stability

If there is one criticism often levelled at Borussia Dortmund, it’s that they have been caught in cycles of instability. Coaching changes have become frequent, with philosophies shifting almost annually. Lucien Favre, Marco Rose, Edin Terzić, and most recently Nuri Sahin—each had moments of promise, but none managed to forge the consistency needed to challenge Bayern Munich over a full season.

Kovac’s extension marks a conscious decision by the club to commit to a long-term project. With a deal until 2027, BVB are signalling trust in his methods, while also ensuring players understand that this is not another transitional period. The club wants an era of continuity.

Moreover, Kovac’s previous success at Eintracht Frankfurt, where he built a resilient and hard-working side that lifted the DFB-Pokal, proves he can establish lasting structures. His time at Bayern was more turbulent, but even there, he delivered a domestic double before being undone by dressing room politics.

At Dortmund, he appears to have struck the right balance: demanding but fair, strict but encouraging.

Tactical Transformation: From Chaos to Cohesion

One of Kovac’s biggest contributions has been defensive solidity. Dortmund, for years, have been known as a side capable of scoring three goals but also conceding four. Their high-risk style, while entertaining, often left them vulnerable. Kovac has tightened the back line, creating a more compact and reliable unit.

The wing-backs in his 3-4-2-1 provide width and energy, while the double pivot in midfield has added balance between defence and attack. This has allowed Dortmund’s forward players—whether Karim Adeyemi, Julian Brandt, or Youssoufa Moukoko—to flourish without carrying the full weight of defensive responsibility.

It’s this mixture of discipline and freedom that has brought back the feeling that Dortmund are not only competitive, but also exciting to watch.

Did You Know?

• Niko Kovac is only the second Croatian manager to coach Borussia Dortmund, following in the footsteps of Zlatko Čajkovski in the 1960s.

• During the final eight games of the 2024-25 season, Dortmund averaged 2.6 goals per match, their best run since the Jürgen Klopp era.

• Physical data revealed Dortmund covered more ground per match than any other Bundesliga side after Kovac’s arrival, highlighting the shift in intensity.

What Next for Dortmund?

FC St. Pauli v Borussia Dortmund – Bundesliga

With Kovac’s future secured, Dortmund can now focus on two major fronts:

1. The Bundesliga: Competing with Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen for domestic supremacy. Dortmund have often been labelled “eternal challengers,” but with Kovac at the helm, there’s a genuine belief they can finally bridge the gap.

2. The Champions League: Securing qualification was a huge step, but progressing deep into the knockout stages will be the true test of Kovac’s tactical acumen. European football requires adaptability, something Kovac has been criticised for in the past. Now, with Dortmund, he has a chance to prove himself on the biggest stage.

Their immediate test will come against Union Berlin, as Dortmund seek their first Bundesliga win of the new season following an opening draw. It’s a game that will test their newly reinforced defensive organisation, as Union are renowned for their physicality and set-piece strength.

Final Thoughts: A New Chapter in Black and Yellow

Borussia Dortmund are no strangers to bold projects. From Jürgen Klopp’s exhilarating title-winning side to the rollercoaster years that followed, the club has always maintained a reputation for exciting football and young talent. But excitement alone has not always brought stability or silverware.

With Niko Kovac, there is a growing sense that the club has found the right blend. His tactical nous, strict but fair approach, and ability to extract performances from his players have reignited belief. The extension until 2027 is not just a reward for six strong months—it is a commitment to building something lasting.

As Dortmund fans chant once more about attractive football, the hope is that these words will not just reflect style, but also results. Because in a league still dominated by Bayern Munich, Dortmund’s ability to combine beauty with resilience may finally define their future.

For now, the message is clear: under Kovac, Dortmund are not only playing attractive football again, but they are also dreaming big once more.