Optimism is returning to Borussia Dortmund as the club embarks on a fresh campaign, eager to recapture the spirit that once defined the team. Head coach Niko Kovač summed up the atmosphere at the training ground, saying, "Overall, we are mixing a good team." He explained that after the departure of four players, Dortmund have added a blend of youthful talent and seasoned experience. "We kept the spine – the goalkeeper, the centre-back and the midfielder – and we are trying to recreate the BVB we knew from the past," he added. The new signings are meant to bring back the kind of exciting, high‑tempo football that has made the Yellow Wall a feared fortress.
Fans hope for a return to the aggressive, counter‑pressing style that characterised the Jurgen Klopp era, rather than the more cautious, possession‑based approach that recent seasons have seen. That shift in philosophy is evident in the profiles of the newcomers.
One of the experienced arrivals is Joey Veerman, a 27‑year‑old Dutch midfielder from PSV Eindhoven, whose composure and tactical awareness are expected to anchor the midfield. However, the most talked‑about acquisitions are the two Greek wingers: Giannis Konstantelias, a dynamic attacker with a reputation for beating defenders, and 18‑year‑old prospect Konstantin Karetsas, a raw talent with a high ceiling. Their impact was already felt during the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup when Konstantelias entered at halftime and immediately put pressure on Bayern Munich’s back line, helping Dortmund claw back from a two‑goal deficit.
Norwegian international Julian Ryerson, who has been with the club for a season, praised the new additions, saying, "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." His optimism reflects a broader sentiment among the squad that the blend of youth and experience could lift the team to new heights. The departure of key figures such as Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt has left a noticeable void in the attacking department. Kovač acknowledges 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 this uncertainty is part of the excitement surrounding Dortmund’s rebuild.
Under the guidance of new sporting director Ole Börke, the club is willing to gamble on potential, especially given the high expectations placed on the Greek duo. Kovač’s managerial style is often described as pragmatic, favouring hard work and discipline over flamboyant tactics.
He has a proven track record, having won the German Cup with Eintracht Frankfurt and a league‑cup double with Bayern Munich. Critics sometimes argue that his approach is limited compared to more celebrated peers, but Kovač defends his philosophy: "If someone likes my style, that is up to you. For me, we are successful. As a coach, you need to see what kind of players you have, what situation you are in, and you must always adapt." When Kovač took over Dortmund in January 2025, the club was languishing in the lower half of the Bundesliga, lacking identity and with European qualification looking unlikely.
He quickly implemented changes, shifting from a back‑four to a back‑five after the initial games proved the original system ineffective. He also placed a strong emphasis on physical conditioning, arguing that a fitter squad makes better 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." These adjustments paid off.
Dortmund climbed to fourth place by the end of that season and then secured a second‑place finish the following year, narrowing the gap to Bayern Munich from 25 points to 16. While a title challenge still seems a stretch, the progress is undeniable.
Kovač admits that closing the gap requires a collective effort and that Bayern must also stumble for Dortmund to seize the opportunity. Club chief executive Carsten Cramer remains grateful for Kovač’s impact, noting, "Imagine what happened when we hired him one‑and‑a‑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.
Black and yellow fits him, I would say, 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." Looking ahead, the blend of disciplined coaching and the high ceiling of the new talent offers a promising outlook.
The Greek wingers, with their technical skill and attacking flair, could become the catalysts for a more expressive style of play, while Veerman provides the midfield stability needed to balance creativity with control. The challenge for Kovač will be to nurture these players without stifling their natural instincts, creating a framework where they can thrive.
In his own words, Kovač describes his football philosophy as "successful football," a simple yet effective mantra that has guided his career. Whether that success translates into a Bundesliga title remains to be seen, but the foundations are being laid. As he puts it, "I do not like to speak first and then work. I think the opposite way is better." Fans can look forward to a season where Dortmund aims to blend the grit and determination of Kovač’s methods with the excitement and freedom that the new generation of players brings.
If the team can maintain fitness, adapt tactically, and harness the raw talent of its newcomers, the Yellow Wall could once again become a symbol of relentless, attacking football that challenges the dominance of Bayern Munich and re‑establishes Borussia Dortmund as a true contender for the top honours in German football.