Borussia Dortmund extends coach Niko Kovač's contract to 30 June 2029
The new deal also covers assistants Robert Kovač and Filip Tapalović. Kovač has averaged 2.15 points per Bundesliga game in charge, which the club cites as its best record under any coach.
Contract extension
Borussia Dortmund has extended the contract of coach Niko Kovač until 30 June 2029, the club announced on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, before its Champions League match at Bodø/Glimt. The previous deal was due to expire at the end of the season, and Kovač's contract had already been extended in August 2025 to 2027. N-tv reported that Sky and its own transfer ticker had earlier said both sides had agreed to continue working together. The club also extended the contracts of Kovač's brother Robert Kovač and fellow assistant Filip Tapalović, so the whole coaching team stays together.
From 11th place to the Champions League
Kovač took over in early 2025 when Dortmund sat 11th in the Bundesliga, and he led the club into the Champions League by finishing fourth. The following season Dortmund finished second behind Bayern Munich with 73 points, according to Focus. In 53 Bundesliga matches in charge he has collected 114 points, an average of 2.15 per game. Dortmund describes that as its best record under any coach, while the club's sports director Ole Book said he and Kovač are in close and trusting contact.
- Contract extended to 2027
- 2:2 draw against Werder Bremen costs Dortmund top spot in the table
- Contract extension to 30 June 2029 announced
Before joining Dortmund, Kovač won the German Cup with Eintracht Frankfurt, beating Bayern Munich in the 2018 final. He then led Bayern to a league and cup double the following season and later coached Monaco and Wolfsburg.
Form and reaction
AP reports that Dortmund won four of their first five Bundesliga matches this season after a summer of change. SRF reports that after a 1:2 Supercup defeat to Bayern, the team won six of seven competitive matches. FAZ says that run ended on Friday, 9 October, with a 2:2 draw against Werder Bremen, which cost Dortmund the top spot in the table. Dortmund managing director for sport Lars Ricken said the club had been on a very good path since Kovač took office.
He has consistently developed the team and enjoys great acceptance within our club.
Ricken described the extension as a clear sign of continuity and stability. Managing director Carsten Cramer also welcomed the agreement and praised the cooperation between the coach, his staff and the sporting leadership.
Niko Kovač has a great identification with BVB and fits our club very well, not only for that reason.
Kovač said the club had jointly started a clear development and laid important foundations for the future. He added that the team should not be satisfied with what it has achieved so far.
We have jointly initiated a clear development and laid important foundations for the future.
The club has now secured long-term planning at the coaching position, with the next phase centred on the team's development in the Bundesliga and in Europe.
