Niko Kovac’s revival in the Ruhr has earned a long-term reward. The former Monaco coach has signed a new Borussia Dortmund contract running until 30 June 2029, extending a spell that has taken the 54-year-old back to the sharp end of German football.
The move
Dortmund appointed Kovac in January 2025 and have now also renewed the deals of his coaching staff. The Croatian has posted an average of 2.15 points per Bundesliga match since arriving, the best rate achieved by any Dortmund manager in the competition.
It is a major endorsement for a coach whose previous stops included Bayern Munich between 2018 and 2019 and AS Monaco from 2020 to 2022. After leaving the Principality, Kovac has rebuilt his standing at Dortmund and secured a contract that ties him to the club for another four years.
Dortmund are unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season and sit second in the table, behind Freiburg. Their results have been strong even if their performances have not always convinced.
The French season around it
Kovac’s new deal carries particular significance in France because of his two-year spell at Monaco. A former midfielder, he coached the Ligue 1 side from 2020 until 2022 before moving on from the club.
His Dortmund side are also preparing for Champions League action. The German runners-up are due to travel to Norway to face Bodø/Glimt on Wednesday at 21:00.
