Borussia Dortmund extend coach Niko Kovac's contract until 2029
A day before their Champions League trip to Bodo/Glimt, Dortmund tied their head coach to a new long-term deal. Assistants Robert Kovac and Filip Tapalovic also stay.
Archive image · Photo: Arne Müseler / www.arne-mueseler.com / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 de (cropped and resized)
Borussia Dortmund have extended head coach Niko Kovac's contract until June 30, 2029, the club announced on Tuesday morning. The 54-year-old's previous deal had been due to expire in 2027. His assistants, his brother Robert Kovac and Filip Tapalovic, will also remain at the club. The announcement came a day before Dortmund's Champions League match away to FK Bodo/Glimt on Wednesday night (2100 CET) on the artificial pitch in northern Norway.
"With Niko Kovac, we have been on a very good path since he took charge a little more than a year and a half ago," sporting chief Lars Ricken said. Sporting director Ole Book praised Kovac as "extremely meticulous" and said his calm benefits the squad. Kovac said: "Together we have set a clear development in motion and laid important foundations for the future."
Kovac took over in spring 2025 with Dortmund 11th in the Bundesliga and steered them into the Champions League on the final matchday. Last season, the club finished second with 73 points. According to the club, Kovac has collected 114 points from 53 Bundesliga games, an average of 2.15 per match, the best of any Dortmund coach.