Borussia Dortmund extend head coach Niko Kovač's contract through to 2029

Borussia Dortmund have handed head coach Niko Kovač a contact extension through June 2029 as a reward for stabilizing the team. Dortmund announced the deal on Tuesday before the Champions League match at Bodø/Glimt -- itself a measure of the Berlin-born Croatian coach's success since taking over when Dortmund was 11th in the Bundesliga in January 2025. Kovač helped Dortmund recover to finish fourth for Champions League qualification, then led it to second place last season, and has made a good start this season following a summer of change with four wins from five Bundesliga games so far. "We've been on a very good path with Niko Kovač since he took office a little over a year and a half ago," Dortmund managing director for sport Lars Ricken said. "He has consistently developed the team and enjoys great acceptance within our club." Ricken said extending Kovač's contract was "a clear