Niko Kovac is facing criticism at Borussia Dortmund. The team served up a limp 0-1 loss at Mönchengladbach on Sunday. But the club’s hierarchy? They’re reportedly keen to talk extension.
According to Ruhr Nachrichten, Dortmund plan to open talks with Kovac’s management in the coming weeks. His current deal runs until 2027. By moving quickly, the club hopes to kill the constant coaching speculation once and for all.
“We have already clearly expressed our confidence in Niko. I really, really enjoy working with him,” said new sporting director Ole Book after the Gladbach defeat.
“I was asked about this even before today’s match and spoke very positively about it. The defeat has certainly not changed that in any way.”
ANTON VENTS: ‘GLADBACH WERE MUCH MORE INTENSE THAN US’
Centre back Waldemar Anton didn’t sugar coat it after the final whistle.
“Gladbach were much more intense than us. They won the crucial challenges in every position,” Anton told DAZN.
“We needed a collective response to their higher tempo perhaps a tougher challenge or a shot that poses a threat but we had far too few of those today.”
Kovac echoed the sentiment.
“Not a good performance. Gladbach were sharp, aggressive and fierce. You could really see today that there was a lot at stake for Gladbach and apparently not so much for us.”
Here’s the thing. Dortmund had already secured Champions League qualification. But a win would have confirmed second place. That opportunity now slips to the final two matches.
Second place remains secure, five points clear of RB Leipzig with two games left: Eintracht Frankfurt at home, then Werder Bremen away.
KOVAC’S RECORD GOOD ENOUGH?
Kovac replaced the sacked Nuri Sahin in February 2025. He guided Dortmund into the Champions League with a strong late season surge.
This term? Domestic results have largely been positive. Second place is within reach. That suggests a promising final table.
But early exits from the Champions League knockout stage and the DFB Pokal round of 16 cast a shadow. Critics also argue Dortmund rarely impress under the Croatian.
Kovac recently rebutted that charge. The board seem to back him. The fans? Less convinced.
PRATES COULD ARRIVE EARLIER
Kaua Prates will join Dortmund. That was confirmed back in February. But FIFA rules prevent the 17 year old left back from moving from Cruzeiro until he turns 18 on August 12.
That would mean missing much of pre season. But his situation at Cruzeiro has become difficult. According to Ruhr Nachrichten, Dortmund are now working with the Brazilian club to secure a special arrangement that would allow him to move earlier.
Curiously, he’s barely featured for Cruzeiro since the transfer was announced in mid February. He recently suffered a thigh injury too. Dortmund’s medical staff are fully briefed.
U23s THUMPED IN MINI REVIERDERBY
Borussia Dortmund’s U23 side suffered a bitter 0-4 defeat in the Regionalliga West derby against Schalke’s reserves.
Jean Paul Ndiaye put Schalke ahead in the 3rd minute. Edion Gashi bagged a brace (21st, 36th). InGyom Jung completed the rout in the 55th minute.
“We got off to a poor start. Then we got into the game better and had two huge chances to perhaps turn the match in our favour. We didn’t take them,” said Dortmund manager Daniel Rios.
The result mathematically ends their hopes of direct promotion back to the 3. Liga. They’ve slipped to fourth, eight points behind the top two with two matchdays left.
Fifth placed Schalke have cut the gap to their Ruhr rivals to just two points. Ouch.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Kovac looks set to stay for now. The board like him. The results have been decent. But the football? Rarely thrilling.
Dortmund need a strong finish. Two games left. Second place to secure. And a summer of transfer business ahead.
The Kovac debate isn’t going away. Even if the club pretend it is.
