Niko Kovač to remain Borussia Dortmund manager next season? | OneFootball

While most of the Borussia Dortmund hierarchy and virtually none of the fanbase put full confidence in Nuri Sahin last summer, the pairing was far less romantic than everyone hoped, which is why the former player was sacked early in the Rückrunde. Mike Tullberg deputized for three games, while a successor to caretaker was found. Tullberg impressed enough to earn himself a promotion from U19 to U23 coach next season, but he lacked the experience needed to steady a sinking ship like Borussia Dortmund.

The club turned to Niko Kovač, who had a plethora of experience, but mixed success with the clubs he’d previously managed. Dortmund wanted a caretaker until the end of the season, but Kovač negotiated a deal until the end of next season, but his severance clause is low enough that many have speculated on his departure, especially should BVB fail to qualify for the Europe.

After some ups and downs however, Niko Kovač has somehow led Borussia Dortmund to their best run of form all season, and it couldn’t have come at a more important phase of matches. Not only was the 3-2 win over Hoffenheim the first time this season BVB has won three consecutive games, but the team has also picked up 13 of a possible 15 points in their last five league matches, a run which has seen them rise into sixth place.

Following the win in Hoffenheim, Borussia Dortmund CEO, Ake Watzke addressed the question of whether the Croatian trainer will remain in charge next after the Club World Cup:

Personally, I think I've seen enough of Niko Kovač now to agree with Watzke here. Kovač seems committed to the project, and I think he's the right man for the job.