Niko Kovac to extend Borussia Dortmund contract until 2029

Borussia Dortmund has decided to commit to Niko Kovac for the long haul. The Croatian coach, who took over at Signal Iduna Park in January 2025 following Nuri Sahin's departure, has the full backing of the board, which is already working to extend a contract currently set to expire in July 2027. The goal is to push that agreement through to 2029, a move built on the team's immediate turnaround and a flawless start to the new campaign.

• Niko Kovac arrived in January 2025 with Dortmund sitting 11th in the Bundesliga and guided the club to Champions League qualification.
• Dortmund have taken 12 points from 12 to open the league season and lead the table by two points over Bayern Munich.
• Kovac's current deal ends in 2027, but the board wants to extend it until 2029.
• Chief executive Carsten Cramer says the coach's continuity is only a matter of time.

Kovac's immediate impact at Borussia Dortmund

When Niko Kovac stepped into the Borussia Dortmund dressing room, there was little room for optimism. The Westphalian side sat 11th in the Bundesliga and had lost the defensive reliability that once defined them. The turnaround, however, did not take long to arrive. The team straightened their path and closed the season with a ticket to the UEFA Champions League, a feat that brought belief back to the Signal Iduna Park stands.

That response was enough for the Croatian to earn the trust of supporters, players and club executives alike. Within the German outfit there are no doubts: Kovac is the right man to lead the project.

What Dortmund gain by securing Kovac's continuity

Keeping the coach in place means adding stability to a project that has started with a consistency rarely seen in the Bundesliga. Dortmund lead the table with a perfect record, a tally that allows them to look at Bayern Munich from a two-point cushion. Holding on to Kovac is the way to protect a playing style that has already won over the club's faithful.

Carsten Cramer's comments on Kovac's future

Borussia Dortmund's chief executive did not hide his optimism when discussing the Croatian's contract extension. He made it clear that the club's assessment of Niko Kovac is exceptionally high and that his renewal is taken for granted. Only the commitments brought by the recent international break have slowed down the final agreement.

The regard for Niko Kovac is incredibly high. It is only a matter of time, that is clear.

Cramer explained that, since not all decision-makers were continuously at the club during the international break, there are still some talks to be held. That is why the situation remains technically open for now, even though the coach's continuity is not up for debate.

A perfect start in Bundesliga and Champions League

The numbers back Dortmund's bet on Kovac. In the German top flight, the team have won their opening four matches, placing them at the summit with a two-point cushion over Bayern. In the Champions League, the start was equally solid: the Westphalian outfit won their first match against Villarreal.

That blistering start has not gone unnoticed by a board that sees the coach's continuity as the foundation for sustaining the club's ambition across all competitions. The renewal, more than a wish, is a sign of the project's maturity.