Optimism is once again bubbling through the ranks at Borussia Dortmund as the club steps into a new campaign with a renewed sense of purpose. Head coach Niko Kovač, speaking from the team’s training complex, summed up the atmosphere succinctly: “Overall, we’re blending a solid squad.” He went on to explain the recent turnover, noting that while three players have departed, the club has secured a mix of fresh talent and seasoned experience.
“We retained the core – the goalkeeper, a central defender, and a midfielder – and we’re now trying to recreate the Dortmund of yesteryear,” he said. The emphasis is on bringing in players who can ignite the famous Yellow Wall with the kind of high‑octane, attacking football that defined the club during the Jurgen Klopp era.
This means a return to aggressive counter‑pressing, swift transitions, and a style that feels more visceral than the possession‑heavy approach the team drifted toward in recent seasons. Those years saw Dortmund leaning on older signings, a strategy aimed at safeguarding Champions League qualification but one that many fans felt compromised the club’s identity.
One of the experienced signings Kovač mentioned is 27‑year‑old midfielder Joey Veerman from PSV Eindhoven, whose composure and leadership are expected to anchor the midfield. However, the arrivals generating the most buzz are the two Greek wingers: the dynamic Giannis Konstantelias and the 18‑year‑old prodigy Konstantin Karetsas.
Their debut in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup electrified Signal Iduna Park when Konstantelias entered at halftime and immediately threatened Bayern Munich’s back line, helping Dortmund claw back from a two‑goal deficit. Norwegian defender Julian Ryerson, reflecting on the new faces, said, “It looks positive.
We had good players last season, but I hope these additions take us to a new level. I think we’re on a good path.” The road ahead will not be straightforward. The departures of prolific attackers Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt have left a noticeable void.
Kovač admitted, “We need to replace those goals, that’s clear. When you bring in new players, there’s always a risk they may not fit.” Yet this uncertainty is part of the excitement surrounding Dortmund’s project.
Under the guidance of the new sporting director Ole Buch, the club is betting on raw potential, especially from the two Greek forwards, who are praised for their considerable talent. Whether Kovač can unlock that potential remains an open question.
He is a coach with a proven track record – winning the German Cup with Eintracht Frankfurt and securing a domestic double with Bayern Munich – but he is also known for prioritising hard work over flamboyant tactics. When asked about his football philosophy, Kovač described it simply as “successful football.” He acknowledges that his style may appear limited compared to more celebrated contemporaries, yet he stresses adaptability: “If someone likes my style, that’s up to them. For me, success matters. As a coach you must assess the players you have, the situation you’re in, and constantly adapt.” Kovač’s adaptability was evident when he took over Dortmund in January 2025, a period when the club was languishing in the lower half of the Bundesliga and had lost its distinctive identity.
At that time, European qualification seemed a distant dream. Dortmund’s chief executive Carsten Cramer still speaks gratefully of that turnaround: “When we hired him a year and a half ago, we were in a position we never should have been. He brought us back to the Champions League.” Cramer added, “He is committed, he loves the club. The black and yellow suit him better than the red and white of Bayern or the green and white of Wolfsburg.
I’m 100 percent sure he’s the right man at the right moment.” Kovač’s early impact was immediate. He switched the formation from a back‑four to a back‑five after the first few games, recognising that the original setup was not delivering results.
He also placed a strong emphasis on physical conditioning, arguing that a fitter squad makes better decisions on the pitch. “When you’re physically prepared, you don’t have to calculate whether to run back or forward; you just do it,” he explained. This focus on fitness helped Dortmund climb to fourth place that season and set the foundation for a second‑place finish the following year.
The gap to perennial champions Bayern Munich narrowed under Kovač’s stewardship – from 25 points in his first season to 16 points more recently – yet a genuine title challenge still feels out of reach. Kovač is realistic about the challenge: “To close that gap, a lot must happen. We also need Bayern not to be at their best.” Recent seasons have shown how slim margins can decide fortunes; Dortmund squandered a title chance on the final day of 2023, while Bayer Leverkusen ended Bayern’s dominance in 2024. Nevertheless, there is a palpable sense of hope.
The blend of Kovač’s disciplined approach with the high ceiling of the new recruits could spark a resurgence. When asked if he prefers to speak first or let results speak, Kovač smiled and replied, “I don’t like to talk first and then work.
I think the opposite works better.” In summary, Borussia Dortmund stands at a crossroads where strategic recruitment, tactical flexibility, and rigorous physical preparation converge. The club is striving to revive the exhilarating, high‑pressing football that once made the Yellow Wall a fortress, while also integrating seasoned professionals like Veerman to provide stability.
With Kovač’s pragmatic philosophy and the fresh spark of young Greek talent, Dortmund aims to re‑establish itself as a genuine contender for both domestic silverware and European glory. The journey ahead will demand patience, resilience, and perhaps a bit of luck, but the foundations being laid suggest that the BVB’s renaissance is well underway.