Optimism has returned to Borussia Dortmund as the club embarks on a fresh campaign, eager to reclaim a spark that seemed to fade in recent years. Head coach Niko Kovač, speaking from the training complex, summed up the atmosphere succinctly: “Overall, we are mixing a good team.” He went on to explain the club’s strategic approach, noting that while three players have departed, the squad has welcomed a blend of youthful promise and seasoned expertise. “We retained the core – the experienced figures, the goalkeeper, the central defenders and the midfield anchor – and we are now trying to recreate the BVB of the past.” The ambition is clear: bring back the type of talent that can electrify the famed Yellow Wall, players capable of delivering the high‑tempo, counter‑pressing football that defined Dortmund under Jürgen Klopp. This style is less about patient possession and more about instinctive, fast‑moving play that ignites the stadium.
In recent seasons Dortmund drifted away from that identity, leaning on older signings in a bid to secure Champions League spots through a more cautious approach. That pragmatic mindset clashed with the club’s heritage of daring, attacking football – a mismatch that left many supporters yearning for a return to the club’s traditional ethos. One of the key signings Kovač highlighted is 27‑year‑old Dutch midfielder Joey Veerman from PSV Eindhoven, whose experience adds depth to the midfield. However, the most buzz‑worthy additions are the two Greek wingers: the dynamic Giannis Konstantelias and the 18‑year‑old prospect Konstantin Karetsas.
Their arrival has already sparked excitement among the fanbase. During the Franz‑Beckenbauer Supercup, the atmosphere at Signal Iduna Park surged when Konstantelias entered in the second half and launched relentless attacks against Bayern Munich’s defence, narrowing a two‑goal deficit and showing a glimpse of the revitalised attacking intent the club hopes to sustain.
Veteran Norwegian defender Julian Ryerson, speaking after the match, reflected on the new arrivals: “It looks positive. We had good players last season, but I think these new faces can take us to a higher level. I feel we are on the right path.” The challenge ahead is formidable. The departures of prolific forwards Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt have left a noticeable void.
Kovač acknowledged the pressure: “We need to replace those goals; it’s obvious. When you bring in new players, you never know if they will click.” Yet this uncertainty is part of the allure – Dortmund is daring to gamble on potential, a gamble that aligns with the vision of new sporting director Ole Buch, who stresses the high expectations placed on the two Greek attackers due to their evident talent. Whether Kovač can unlock that talent remains a key question. He is a coach with a proven record, known for emphasizing hard work and tactical discipline over flamboyant inspiration.
His own philosophy, when asked to define "Kovač football," is simple: "Successful football." He has lifted the German Cup with Eintracht Frankfurt and secured a domestic double with Bayern Munich, demonstrating his ability to deliver results. Critics sometimes label his style as pragmatic, especially when compared to more celebrated tacticians. He has experimented with in‑verting wing‑backs, but his adjustments rarely dominate headlines the way Vincent Kompany’s innovations at Bayern do. Kovač’s response is pragmatic: "If someone likes my style, that’s up to them.
For me, success matters. A coach must adapt to the players he has and the situation he faces." When Kovač took over Dortmund in late January 2025, the club was languishing in the lower half of the Bundesliga, its identity fragmented and European qualification looking doubtful. Chief executive Carsten Cramer praised the turnaround: "When we hired him a year and a half ago, we were in a region we never should have been. He brought us back to the Champions League." Cramer added that Kovač’s commitment to the black‑and‑yellow colors fits the club better than his previous stints at Bayern or Wolfsburg, and he expressed confidence that Kovač is the right man at the right moment.
Kovač’s impact was swift. He shifted the formation from a back four to a back five after a few games, recognising that the original setup was not delivering.
He also emphasized physical conditioning, noting that a fit squad makes decision‑making on the pitch more instinctive: "When you have the physical capacity, you don’t have to calculate every movement; you just act." These adjustments paid off, as Dortmund climbed to fourth place by season’s end and then secured a runner‑up finish the following campaign. The gap to Bayern Munich narrowed from 25 points in Kovač’s first season to 16 points the next, indicating progress, though a genuine title challenge still feels distant. Kovač admits that closing the gap requires multiple factors aligning, including Bayern not performing at their peak. Recent frustrations have lingered – missed opportunities cost Dortmund a title on the final day of 2023, and Bayer Leverkusen ended Bayern’s dominance in 2024.
Nevertheless, the blend of Kovač’s disciplined framework and the high ceiling of the new talent offers a renewed sense of possibility. Looking ahead, Kovač remains cautious about making promises before delivering on the pitch: "I don’t like to speak first and then work. I think it’s better to let the results speak for themselves," he said with a smile. In summary, Borussia Dortmund is undergoing a comprehensive rebuild that balances respect for its historic, high‑energy style with pragmatic adjustments in tactics and fitness.
By integrating experienced heads like Veerman with exciting young prospects such as Konstantelias and Karetsas, and under the disciplined guidance of Niko Kovač, the club aims to re‑ignite the passion of its supporters and once again challenge for top honours in German and European football.