Niko Kovac signs new Borussia Dortmund contract through to 2029

Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac has agreed a contract extension that will keep him at the Bundesliga club until 2029.

The new deal adds two years to the Croatian’s previous agreement and rewards the progress made since he took charge in early 2025. Kovac inherited a Dortmund side in 11th place but guided them to a significant recovery during the remainder of the campaign.

Dortmund secured Champions League qualification on the final day of that season before finishing runners-up to Bayern Munich last term. The club now remain among the leading sides in Germany under Kovac’s management.

The 54-year-old believes Dortmund have created a platform from which they can continue to improve.

“Together, we’ve set a clear course for development and laid important foundations for the future,” Kovac said.

“We want to build on that. We have a clear vision of how we play soccer, how we perform as a team, and what it takes to achieve our goals.”

The contract announcement comes as Dortmund continue to compete near the top of the Bundesliga this season. After five league matches, they are second in the table, behind Freiburg on goal difference.

Kovac’s next priority is Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with Bodo/Glimt, with Dortmund aiming to sustain their strong start in both domestic and European competition.

The extension represents a commitment from both Kovac and the club after his first season brought a rapid turnaround in Dortmund’s fortunes. When he arrived in early 2025, the team were struggling in 11th position, but their late improvement was enough to secure a place in the Champions League.

Dortmund then followed that recovery by finishing second to Bayern Munich last season. Their form has continued into the current campaign, leaving them level with Freiburg at the top of the Bundesliga standings after five matches.

Kovac’s new agreement extends his stay by two years beyond the terms of his previous contract. He has said the club’s progress has provided a clear basis for the next stage of their development, both in their style of play and in their approach to achieving their targets.

Their Champions League fixture against Bodo/Glimt gives Dortmund an immediate opportunity to continue that progress. The club are seeking to maintain momentum in Europe while remaining in contention near the summit of the Bundesliga.