Borussia Dortmund extends Niko Kovac's contract until 2029
Synopsis
Hired when Dortmund were adrift in 11th, Niko Kovac has flipped the script so convincingly — Champions League qualification, a second-place finish, and a record 2.15 points-per-game average — that the club have tied him down until 2029. The contract extension is as much a statement about Dortmund's new ambition as it is about the coach.
Key Takeaways
Borussia Dortmund extended Niko Kovac 's contract until 30 June 2029 on 13 October 2026 .
Kovac joined in spring 2025 when Dortmund were 11th in the Bundesliga; he secured Champions League football on the final matchday of that season.
Dortmund finished second in the Bundesliga last season with 73 points — the fifth-highest tally in club history.
Kovac holds a record 2.15 points-per-game average across 53 Bundesliga matches — the highest for any Dortmund head coach.
Assistant coaches Robert Kovac and Filip Tapalovic also extended their contracts.
Managing director Lars Ricken called the extension 'a clear sign of consistency and stability.'
Borussia Dortmund have extended head coach Niko Kovac's contract until 30 June 2029, the German Bundesliga club confirmed on 13 October 2026. The Croatian manager, who guided Dortmund to a second-place Bundesliga finish last season, has committed his future to the eight-time German champions following a remarkable turnaround since his arrival.
Kovac's Remarkable Turnaround at Dortmund
Kovac took charge of Dortmund in the spring of 2025 when the side sat 11th in the Bundesliga table — a precarious position for a club of their stature. He first steered them to a Champions League qualification on the final matchday of the 2024-25 season, before elevating them to second place in the subsequent campaign. Dortmund accumulated 73 points last season, the fifth-highest single-season tally in the club's history.
Record Points Average Under Kovac
Since taking charge, Kovac has overseen 53 Bundesliga matches, earning 114 points at an average of 2.15 points per game. According to the club, no other Dortmund head coach has recorded a higher average points tally in the league — a statistical benchmark that underlines the scale of his impact. His two assistant coaches, Robert Kovac and Filip Tapalovic, have also extended their contracts as part of the same announcement.
What Kovac Said
Speaking after signing the new deal, Kovac said the club had built a strong foundation and stressed the importance of continuous improvement. 'Together, we've set a clear course for development and laid important foundations for the future. We want to build on that,' he said in an official statement. He added: 'We have a clear vision of how we play soccer, how we perform as a team, and what it takes to achieve our goals. The key is that we don't rest on our laurels but work every day to get better. We see great potential and are convinced that, together, with full conviction and great determination, we can still achieve a great deal.'
Club's Signal of Stability
Dortmund's managing director of sport, Lars Ricken, described the extension as a deliberate statement of continuity. 'Extending Niko's contract is also a clear sign of consistency and stability at Borussia Dortmund. And Niko knows what he has at Borussia Dortmund. That's why we quickly agreed to continue on this path together,' Ricken said. This comes amid a broader trend of Bundesliga clubs prioritising managerial stability as German football looks to close the gap with the Premier League in European competition.
What Comes Next
With Kovac now secured through 2029, Dortmund will look to convert their second-place consistency into a first Bundesliga title challenge in several years. The club's next test comes in the ongoing 2026-27 Bundesliga season, where they will aim to build on last campaign's momentum and mount a genuine title bid.
Point of View
With a record points-per-game average, is a club that has rediscovered its identity. The real question now is whether Kovac can push from perennial contender to champion — Dortmund have not lifted the Bundesliga title since 2012, and second place, however encouraging, is not the ceiling the club should accept with this squad.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Until when has Niko Kovac's Borussia Dortmund contract been extended?
Niko Kovac's contract with Borussia Dortmund has been extended until 30 June 2029. The extension was confirmed on 13 October 2026 following a strong second-place Bundesliga finish last season.
What has Niko Kovac achieved at Borussia Dortmund?
Since taking charge in spring 2025, Kovac rescued Dortmund from 11th place, secured Champions League qualification on the final matchday of the 2024-25 season, and led them to second place the following season with 73 points — the fifth-highest tally in club history. He also holds the record for the highest points-per-game average of any Dortmund head coach, at 2.15 across 53 Bundesliga matches.
Who else at Dortmund extended their contracts alongside Kovac?
Assistant coaches Robert Kovac and Filip Tapalovic also extended their contracts with Borussia Dortmund as part of the same announcement.
What did Dortmund's sporting director say about the contract extension?
Managing director of sport Lars Ricken said the extension was 'a clear sign of consistency and stability at Borussia Dortmund,' adding that both parties quickly agreed to continue on the same path.
What is Niko Kovac's points-per-game record at Dortmund?
Kovac has earned 114 points from 53 Bundesliga matches at Dortmund, averaging 2.15 points per game — the highest average recorded by any head coach in the club's history according to Dortmund's own data.
