Optimism has returned to Borussia Dortmund as the club embarks on a fresh campaign, aiming not merely to rebuild but to reclaim a lost identity. Head coach Niko Kovač summed up the mood at the training ground: “Overall, we are shaping a good team.” He explained that after three departures, the squad has been reinforced with a mix of youthful promise and seasoned experience. “We retained the core – the goalkeeper, the central defender, the midfield anchor – and added new talent.
In essence, we are recreating the BVB of earlier years.” That vision translates into a desire for players who can ignite the famed Yellow Wall with the same exhilarating, high‑tempo, rock‑and‑roll football that defined Dortmund during Jürgen Klopp’s tenure. The club wants a side that presses aggressively, attacks with flair, and gives supporters a spectacle, rather than the more cautious, possession‑heavy approach it adopted in recent seasons when older signings were prioritized to safeguard Champions League qualification.
That pragmatic shift felt at odds with the club’s DNA. One of the experienced additions Kovač mentioned is 27‑year‑old midfielder Joey Veerman, who arrived from PSV Eindhoven. However, the headline signings are the two Greek wingers: the eye‑catching Giannis Konstantelias and the 18‑year‑old prodigy Konstantin Karetsas. Their arrival has set the fan base buzzing.
In the recent Franz Beckenbauer Supercup, Konstantelias entered at halftime and immediately put pressure on Bayern Munich’s back line, helping Dortmund claw back from a two‑goal deficit and showcasing the kind of dynamic wing play the coach envisions. Norwegian international Julian Ryerson, speaking after the match, praised the new recruits: “It looks positive.
We had good players last season, but I think these newcomers can take us to a new level. I feel we are on the right path.” The transition will not be seamless. The departures of Karim Adeyemi and Julian Brandt, two players who embodied Dortmund’s attacking spirit, leave a noticeable void. Kovač acknowledged the challenge: “We need to replace those goals, that’s clear.
When you bring in new players, there’s always a risk they may not adapt.” Yet he also sees this uncertainty as part of the excitement. Under the guidance of the new sporting director Ole Buch, the club is betting on raw potential, especially from the two Greek forwards, whose talent has generated high expectations. Whether Kovač can unlock that talent remains a key question. He is a proven winner, having lifted the German Cup with Eintracht Frankfurt and secured a Bundesliga‑Cup double with Bayern Munich, but his reputation leans more toward hard work than flamboyant tactics.
He admits his style is often described as pragmatic: “If you like my approach, that’s fine. For me, success is the goal. As a coach you must assess the players you have, the situation you’re in, and adapt constantly.” Kovač’s adaptability was evident when he took over Dortmund in late January 2025. At that time, the club was languishing in the lower half of the Bundesliga, lacking a clear identity and with 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 a place we never should have been. He brought us back into the Champions League conversation.” Cramer added that Kovač’s passion for the black‑and‑yellow colors seemed a better fit than his previous stints with Bayern or Wolfsburg, and he expressed confidence that Kovač was the right man at the right moment. Kovač’s early impact involved tactical flexibility.
Initially, Dortmund lined up with a back four, but after a few games he switched to a back five when the system proved ineffective. He also emphasized the importance of physical conditioning, noting that a fitter squad makes decision‑making on the pitch more instinctive: “When you lack fitness you over‑think – should I run back, forward, defend, attack? With better physical abilities you just act.” This focus on fitness helped Dortmund finish fourth that season, providing a platform that led to a second‑place finish the following year.
The gap to Bayern Munich narrowed from 25 points in Kovač’s first full season to 16 points in his second, indicating progress but still leaving a considerable distance to a title challenge. Kovač is realistic about the hurdles: “To close that gap, many things must happen. We also need Bayern to drop points.” Recent frustrations include missed opportunities, such as the title slip on the final day of 2023 and Bayer Leverkusen’s disruption of Bayern’s dominance in 2024.
Nevertheless, the optimism remains. The combination of Kovač’s disciplined approach and the high ceiling of the new arrivals offers a renewed sense of possibility. When asked about his plans, Kovač smiled and said, “I don’t like to talk before I work. I think it’s better to let the results speak.” In summary, Borussia Dortmund is at a crossroads where a blend of experienced leadership, tactical adaptability, and youthful exuberance aims to revive the club’s trademark attacking ethos.
The season ahead will test whether the BVB can translate this renewed spirit into tangible success, both domestically and in Europe.