Optimism is returning to Borussia Dortmund as the club embarks on a new campaign that feels less like a simple overhaul and more like a revival of a lost identity. Head coach Niko Kovač, speaking from the training ground, summed up the atmosphere succinctly: “Overall, we are mixing a good team.” He went on to explain that after saying goodbye to four players, the club has brought in fresh talent alongside a seasoned professional, preserving the core of the squad – the goalkeeper, the central defender, and a key midfielder – while aiming to recreate the Borussia Dortmund of yesteryear.
The new signings are intended to rekindle the brand of football that has made the Yellow Wall famous: high‑tempo, counter‑pressing, rock‑and‑roll soccer that excites supporters the way it did under Jürgen Klopp. In recent seasons Dortmund drifted away from that philosophy, leaning on older acquisitions and a cautious approach designed to safeguard Champions League qualification. That pragmatic style, while safe, felt out of step with the club’s DNA. Kovač highlighted the experienced addition of 27‑year‑old Dutch midfielder Joey Veerman from PSV Eindhoven as a stabilising influence.
However, the arrivals that have captured the imagination of fans are the two Greek wingers: the eye‑catching Giannis Konstantelias and the 18‑year‑old prospect Konstantin Karetsas. Their impact was evident in the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup when Konstantelias entered at halftime and immediately put pressure on Bayern Munich’s defence, helping Dortmund claw back from a two‑goal deficit.
Norwegian international Julian Ryerson, speaking after the match, praised the new teammates: “It looks positive. We had some good players last year, but I hope these newcomers take us to a new level.
I think we are on a good path.” The optimism was palpable, and the club’s new sporting director, Ole Bock, echoed the sentiment, noting that expectations are high because the two Greek attackers possess considerable talent. The departure of key figures such as Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt left a noticeable void in the black‑and‑yellow attack. Kovač admitted the challenge plainly: “We need to replace those goals, it is clear.
When you bring in new players you never know if it will work.” Yet that uncertainty is part of the excitement surrounding Dortmund’s project. The club is daring to dream, betting on raw potential and hoping that the new signings will flourish under Kovač’s guidance.
Kovač’s coaching style has often been described as pragmatic, favouring hard work and discipline over flamboyant tactics. He has a proven track record, having lifted the German Cup with Eintracht Frankfurt and achieving a domestic double with Bayern Munich.
While some critics argue his approach is less inventive than that of contemporaries such as Bayern’s Vincent Kompany, Kovač defends his philosophy: “If someone likes my style, that is up to them. For me, success is what matters. As a coach you must adapt to the players you have and the situation you are in.” When Kovač took over Dortmund in late January 2025, the club was languishing in the lower half of the Bundesliga, its identity in tatters and European qualification looking unlikely.
Chief executive Carsten Cramer reflected on the turnaround: “When we hired him a year and a half ago, we were in places we never should have been. He brought us back to the Champions League.” Cramer added that Kovač’s commitment to the club’s colours – black and yellow – seemed a natural fit, perhaps more so than his previous stints at Bayern or Wolfsburg. The tactical adjustments Kovač introduced were swift.
Initially, Dortmund lined up with a back four, but after a few games he switched to a back five, recognising that the original system 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 have the physical capacity, you don’t have to calculate whether to run back or forward; you just do it.” This focus on fitness helped the team climb to fourth place that season and set the foundation for a second‑place finish the following year. Despite narrowing the gap to Bayern Munich – from 25 points in Kovač’s first season to 16 points more recently – the title still feels out of reach.
Kovač is realistic about the challenge: “To close this gap, a lot must happen. We also need Bayern not to be at their best.” Recent disappointments, such as the missed title on the final day of 2023 and Bayer Leverkusen ending Bayern’s dominance in 2024, illustrate how fine the margins can be.
The hope for Dortmund’s supporters rests on the combination of Kovač’s disciplined framework and the high ceiling of the new talent. The club’s philosophy now blends the traditional high‑pressing, attacking ethos with a renewed emphasis on fitness and tactical flexibility. Whether this blend will translate into a genuine title challenge remains to be seen, but the atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park suggests that fans are ready to back the project wholeheartedly.
Kovač himself prefers to let results speak: “I do not like to speak first and then work. I think the opposite way is better.” His modest confidence, coupled with the excitement surrounding the Greek wingers and the steadying presence of Veerman, points to a season where Dortmund could once again become the team that thrills the Yellow Wall with fearless, attacking football. The journey will be demanding, but for a club that thrives on passion and ambition, the rebuild feels like a return to form rather than a mere reconstruction.