Dortmund extend Kovac contract through 2027

Borussia Dortmund announced the extension of head coach Niko Kovac’s contract through June 2027 on Tuesday, anchoring a turnaround that has re-established the club among Europe’s elite and provided a long-term framework as they chase domestic and continental success. The decision follows a dramatic upturn from mid-season disappointment to a top-four finish and Champions League qualification, and comes after Kovac helped guide Dortmund to a notable Club World Cup showing earlier in the year.

Kovac arrived in February 2025 with Dortmund 11th in the Bundesliga, inheriting a team in need of a reset. In the weeks that followed, he oversaw a remarkable late-season revival: Dortmund won seven of their final eight league games, collected 22 of 24 possible points, and finished in fourth place, securing a return to the Champions League. The club also advanced to the Club World Cup quarterfinals, underscoring a period of renewed momentum. Ahead of the new campaign, Dortmund’s leadership emphasized that the groundwork laid in the second half of last season would underpin their plans going forward. The run included a stretch of five successive Bundesliga victories, with several matches in...