Borussia Dortmund have extended head coach Niko Kovac’s contract by one year, keeping him at the club until 2027.
Kovac, who previously managed Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt and Monaco, took charge in January 2025 on an 18-month deal with Dortmund languishing in 11th place. The team later slipped to 13th but rallied under his leadership, collecting 22 of a possible 24 points in the run-in to secure fourth place and a Champions League berth.
“With honest work, clear decisions and great enthusiasm, we want to help Borussia Dortmund return to our former strength,” Kovac said in a club statement. “We still have a lot to do together.”
Sporting director Sebastian Kehl praised the 52-year-old’s approach, describing him as a coach who tackles every match “with conviction, intensity and passion,” and backed him to build on last season’s turnaround.
Known for his discipline and focus on fitness, Kovac first rose to prominence by guiding Frankfurt to the German Cup in 2018. He later won the domestic double in his debut season at Bayern Munich, though his tenure ended abruptly the following year.
As a player, Kovac represented Croatia 83 times, scoring 14 goals, and featured for Bayern, Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg.
Dortmund’s new Bundesliga campaign opened with a frustrating 3-3 draw at St Pauli, where they conceded twice late on after being reduced to 10 men.
