Optimism has returned to Borussia Dortmund as the club embarks on a new season that feels less like a mere reconstruction and more like a revival of a lost identity. Head coach Niko Kovač summed up the atmosphere at the training ground when he said, "Overall, we are mixing a good team." He explained that after three departures, the squad has been reinforced with fresh talent alongside a seasoned professional, preserving the core of the side – the goalkeeper, central defender, and midfield anchor – while attempting to recreate the Borussia Dortmund of yesteryear.
The vision is clear: bring back the kind of players who can electrify the famous Yellow Wall, those capable of delivering the high‑tempo, rock‑and‑roll football that defined the club during the Jurgen Klopp era. That style emphasized aggressive counter‑pressing and instinctive play rather than cautious possession. In recent years Dortmund drifted away from this principle, opting for older, more conservative signings in a bid to safeguard Champions League qualification.
It was a pragmatic approach, but it strayed from the club’s DNA. Kovač’s reference to an experienced addition points to 27‑year‑old midfielder Joey Veerman from PSV Eindhoven, who brings composure and leadership to the midfield. However, the most buzz‑worthy arrivals are the two Greek wingers: Giannis Konstantelias, a dynamic attacker with a reputation for flair, and 18‑year‑old prospect Konstantin Karetsas, a youngster brimming with potential. Their impact was immediately felt in the Franz‑Beckenbauer Supercup when Konstantelias entered at halftime and surged forward against Bayern Munich’s defence, helping Dortmund claw back from a two‑goal deficit.
Norwegian veteran Julian Ryerson, speaking after the match, praised the new faces: "It looks positive, yeah. We also had some good players last year but I hope it takes us to a new level, of course. I hope and I think that we are on a good path." The optimism is shared across the club, from the players on the pitch to the front office, which is now under the direction of sporting director Ole Bock. The task ahead is daunting.
The departures of prolific forwards Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt have left a noticeable void in the attacking line‑up. Kovač acknowledged the challenge, stating, "We need to replace these goals, it is clear. Of course, when you buy new players, you never know if it is going to work or not." Yet that uncertainty is part of the excitement.
Dortmund are daring to dream again, banking on the raw talent of the Greek wingers and hoping that they will flourish under the guidance of a coach known for his disciplined approach. Kovač’s coaching philosophy can be summed up in his own words: "Successful football." He has a proven record, having lifted the German Cup with Eintracht Frankfurt and securing a domestic double with Bayern Munich. Critics sometimes label his style as pragmatic rather than visionary, noting his recent experiments with inverted wing‑backs and his focus on physical conditioning over flamboyant tactics.
He himself replies, "If someone likes my style, that is up to you. For me, we are successful.
As a coach, I think you need to see what kind of players you have, what situation you have, and you must always adapt." When Kovač took over in late January 2025, Dortmund were languishing in the lower half of the Bundesliga table, their identity fragmented and European qualification a distant dream. Club CEO Carsten Cramer reflected on the turnaround, saying, "Imagine what happened when we hired him one‑and‑half years ago.
We were in regions we never should be and he brought us to the Champions League. He is committed, he loves to work for the club, and the black and yellow fits him much better than the red and white or the green and white.
I am 100 per cent sure that he is the right man at the right moment." Kovač’s impact was immediate. He altered the formation from a back four to a back five after a few games, recognizing that the original system was not delivering results. He also placed a strong emphasis on fitness, arguing that a player with superior physical attributes makes clearer decisions on the pitch: "Without those physical abilities, you are calculating. Should I run backwards?
Should I run forward? Should I defend? Should I attack?
If you are fitter, you just do it." The physical overhaul and tactical tweaks paid off, as Dortmund climbed to fourth place by the end of the season and then secured a second‑place finish the following year. The points gap to Bayern Munich shrank from 25 points in Kovač’s first season to 16 points in his second, indicating steady progress toward closing the league’s biggest gap. Nevertheless, a genuine title challenge still feels out of reach. Kovač admits that closing the distance requires many factors aligning, including Bayern not performing at their usual peak.
Recent disappointments – such as squandering a title chance on the final day of the 2023 season and watching Bayer Leverkusen halt Bayern’s dominance in 2024 – have left Dortmund fans yearning for a resurgence. The hope now rests on the blend of Kovač’s disciplined structure and the high ceiling offered by the new talent. When asked about his approach, Kovač smiled and said, "I do not like to speak first and then work. I think the opposite way is better." In summary, Borussia Dortmund are in the midst of a calculated rebuild that balances respect for the club’s historic, high‑energy football with pragmatic adjustments aimed at restoring competitiveness.
With a mix of seasoned professionals, promising youngsters, and a coach willing to adapt, the Yellow Wall may soon once again reverberate with the roar of a team that plays with passion, intensity, and a clear sense of identity.