Borussia Dortmund close in on new long-term contract for Niko Kovac
Borussia Dortmund are moving closer to extending Niko Kovac’s contract, with chief executive Carsten Cramer confirming that only remaining talks and scheduling issues stand in the way of a new agreement.
Cramer said the club’s confidence in Kovac is absolute after Dortmund’s rapid rise under the Croatian. “The appreciation for Niko Kovac is incredibly high,” he said. “It is clear that it is only a question of time.”
The deal has not yet been completed because key figures were away during the latest international break. Cramer said discussions still need to take place, leaving the situation formally unresolved for the moment.
Kovac turnaround continues
Kovac took charge in January 2025 after Nuri Sahin’s departure and immediately changed Dortmund’s direction. The side were 11th when he arrived, but recovered to claim a Champions League place.
That progress carried into 2025-26, when Dortmund ended the Bundesliga campaign second with 73 points. Their start to the new season has made the board even more determined to settle the coach’s future before the winter fixture pressure builds.
Dortmund have won each of their first four league matches in 2026-27, collecting 12 points to sit top of the Bundesliga. They also opened their Champions League campaign with a 3-2 win over Real Betis.
What happens next
Kovac’s immediate focus is Friday’s home league meeting with Werder Bremen at Signal Iduna Park. Dortmund then travel to Norway five days later for a Champions League test against Bodo/Glimt.
The club want to maintain their early momentum through a packed October programme, while the final conversations over Kovac’s new terms are expected to continue.
