Optimism is back at Borussia Dortmund as the club embarks on a fresh campaign, eager to reclaim the spirit that once defined its brand of football. Head coach Niko Kovač, speaking from the training ground, summed up the club’s direction: "Overall, we are mixing a good team. Four players have left, we have brought in some talented newcomers and one seasoned professional. We have retained the core – the experienced goalkeeper, central defender, and midfielder – and we are now trying to rebuild the BVB of yesteryear." This statement captures the ambition to blend youthful energy with a solid backbone, aiming to recreate the thrilling, high‑tempo style that has long delighted the fans in the famous Yellow Wall.
The new signings are meant to inject the kind of flair that makes Dortmund matches feel like rock‑and‑roll spectacles. The club is moving away from the more cautious, possession‑heavy approach that had crept in over recent seasons, a shift that many supporters felt muted the team’s natural aggression and counter‑pressing instincts. Instead, the focus is on fast transitions, relentless pressing, and players who can produce moments of magic on the ball.
One of the experienced arrivals Kovač mentioned is 27‑year‑old Dutch midfielder Joey Veerman, who joins from PSV Eindhoven. Veerman brings a wealth of Bundesliga‑ready experience and a calm presence in midfield that should help anchor the younger talent. However, the headline grabbers are the two Greek wingers: the eye‑catching Giannis Konstantelias and the 18‑year‑old prospect Konstantin Karetsas. Their arrival has already sparked excitement among the fanbase.
In the recent Franz‑Beckenbauer Supercup, Konstantelias entered at halftime and immediately put pressure on Bayern Munich’s defence, nearly overturning a two‑goal deficit and showcasing the kind of daring wing play Dortmund hopes to see more of. Norwegian international Julian Ryerson, who has been with the club for a season, expressed optimism after the match: "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 comments underline a growing belief that the new recruits could elevate the squad to a higher competitive tier. The departure of key figures such as Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt, who were instrumental in the club’s attacking output, leaves a clear void.
Kovač acknowledges the challenge: "We need to replace those goals, it is clear. Of course, when you buy new players, you never know if it will work or not." This uncertainty is part of the allure of Dortmund’s project – a calculated gamble on potential rather than proven pedigree, overseen by the newly appointed sporting director Ole Bock, who has set lofty expectations for the Greek duo’s development. Kovač’s managerial style is often described as pragmatic, favouring hard work and discipline over flamboyant tactics. He has a reputation for demanding high physical standards and adapting his formations to the strengths of his squad.
When he took over in January 2025, Dortmund were languishing in the lower half of the Bundesliga and seemed to have lost their identity. Within months, Kovač restructured the back line, shifting from a back‑four to a back‑five after early games revealed defensive frailties. He also introduced a rigorous fitness programme, believing that improved stamina simplifies decision‑making on the pitch: "When you are fit, you don’t have to calculate every movement; you just act instinctively." These adjustments paid off. Dortmund climbed to fourth place by the end of that season, securing a Champions League spot and laying a platform for the following campaign, where they finished second, narrowing the gap to Bayern Munich from 25 points to 16.
While a title challenge still appears distant, Kovač is realistic about the work required: "To close this gap, a lot must happen. It is also important that Bayern Munich is not playing at their absolute best." He points to missed opportunities in recent years – a squandered title chance on the final day of 2023 and Bayern’s loss of dominance to Bayer Leverkusen in 2024 – as lessons that Dortmund must learn to capitalize on their own chances. The club’s hierarchy shares Kovač’s confidence.
Chief executive Carsten Cramer praised the coach’s impact, noting that when Kovač arrived the team was in a region of the table they “never should be.” He added, "He loves to work for the club. 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." This endorsement reflects a belief that Kovač’s blend of discipline and tactical flexibility can harness the raw talent of the new arrivals. Looking ahead, the challenge will be to blend the youthful exuberance of Konstantelias, Karetsas, and other emerging players with the experience of veterans like Veerman and Ryerson.
Kovač’s philosophy, which he describes as "successful football," emphasizes adapting to the players you have and the situations you face. He admits his style may not be as celebrated as that of some peers, but he remains convinced that results speak louder than aesthetics. In summary, Borussia Dortmund’s current rebuild is a calculated mix of retaining a seasoned spine, injecting fresh attacking flair, and imposing a rigorous physical and tactical framework under Niko Kovač’s guidance. The club hopes this approach will reignite the passion of its supporters, restore the iconic high‑pressing, counter‑attacking identity, and ultimately bring the team back into serious contention for domestic and European honours.