Dortmund's Kovač stays grounded despite 'sensational' top-four finish
Dortmund coach Niko Kovac gestures on the touchline during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Holstein Kiel at Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa
Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovač was ecstatic to reach the Champions League after a late burst in the Bundesliga, but said the party should be mooted given it was the minimum target for the club.
Dortmund were 11th when the Croatian took over in January following the sacking of Nuro Şahin.
Advertisement
After a shaky few weeks, the well-known disciplinarian oversaw a remarkable resurgence as the Black and Yellows won their last five league games to pip Freiburg and reach the Champions League for a 10th straight season.
Saturday's 3-0 win over relegated Holstein Kiel summed up the calmness and ruthlessness which Kovač, previously sacked by Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg, has managed to instil.
"What we have done is sensational in the last few weeks," he told Sky. "We had to make it clear what we wanted in games. The lads didn't have that at the start.
"I know the quality that top players have. I had to make sure they had positive thoughts.
Advertisement
"But we shouldn't overly celebrate, we have finished only fourth, which was the minimum expectation."
Fans were not impressed when he was drafted in by the Champions League runners-up given his Bayern connection and failure at Wolfsburg.
But he has proved the sceptics wrong and was hailed by managing director Lars Ricken for one of the greatest achievements by a Dortmund coach.
"It is always nice when you get praise. Alone I wouldn't have managed it," he added, saluting staff, players and the fans.
He also thanked his daughter, who told him to keep wearing the same jumper for good luck.
"My daughter said never change a winning system," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Luis Henrique joins Inter Milan ahead of Club World Cup
Brazilian winger Luis Henrique has signed for Inter Milan from Marseille becoming the Italian club's second signing ahead of the Club World Cup in the United States. "A new Inter player joins the family, welcome Luis," this season's Italian Serie A and Champions League runners-up said on Saturday. Advertisement The Brazilian, who arrived in Marseille in 2020, made 108 appearances and scored 11 goals for the French club in all competitions. He went on loan to Botafogo in 2022, returning to Ligue 1 in January 2024, scoring seven goals and providing eight assists in the league last term. According to the Italian press, Inter will pay 23 million euros ($26 million) for the 23-year-old. Inter also signed Croatian midfielder Petar Sucic last week for 14 million euros from Dinamo Zagreb, with the Club World Cup kicking off on June 14 in the United States. "I am very happy to have signed for such a big club. I think it will be a huge jump in quality in my career," said the Brazilian. Advertisement "I have known this league very well since a young age. "There have many important Brazilians that have played here at Inter. I also want to make history here, just like they did." He added: "I hope we will make it as far as possible and that we will manage to win this competition that is starting soon." The northern Italian giants are also expected to formalise the arrival of Cristian Chivu early next week as the replacement for coach Simone Inzaghi, who left to join Saudi club Al Hilal. jr/smr/ea/nf
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool Could Sign Real Madrid Forward for £75million This Summer
Rodrygo Transfer Would Mark Strategic Coup for Liverpool Under Michael Edwards Michael Edwards' return to Liverpool has sparked a revival not just in structure, but in sharp decision-making across the transfer front. The club has wasted no time, with Jeremie Frimpong already secured and talks progressing for both Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez. However, the potential headline-grabber of the summer may well be yet to come. Advertisement As reported by Ben Jacobs, Liverpool are in discussions over the potential signing of Rodrygo Goes from Real Madrid, who could be available for just €90/£75million. That figure, in today's market, especially considering Saudi side Al Nassr are reportedly willing to pay €85 million for Luis Diaz, would represent shrewd business at Anfield. Exit Signs for Diaz and Nunez It now seems increasingly likely that Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz will leave the club this summer. The former has 'one foot out of the door,' while Diaz has 'confirmed he has held talks with other clubs.' These developments significantly change the shape of Liverpool's attacking plans under Arne Slot. Advertisement With Wirtz being lined up, Liverpool appear ready to sign not one but two new forwards. In that light, the potential addition of Rodrygo offers more than just depth. It signals intent to build a multi-dimensional, explosive attack, tailor-made for modern football. Rodrygo Is a Long-Term Target Revisited For Edwards, this is not a new fascination. Rodrygo was on his radar as early as 2017, when the sporting director first tried to bring him to Anfield. The player reportedly turned down that approach, feeling it was too soon in his career. But now, circumstances have changed. As Jacobs noted, Rodrygo 'has been pinpointed as a generational talent,' and that view has only strengthened. Real Madrid's decision to sell stems from their glut of attacking options and a desire to balance their books after signing Kylian Mbappé. Photo: IMAGO Rodrygo now has the chance to play in his preferred position on the left wing, something that was rarely possible at Madrid. Liverpool, who are building a new-era frontline centred around Mohamed Salah and likely Florian Wirtz, could offer him both prominence and positional freedom. Financial Logic Backs the Move In football economics, €90 million for a 23-year-old Brazilian international with Champions League pedigree is close to a steal. Especially when compared to similar potential outgoings. It's not just a footballing decision, it's a financial one too. Advertisement Given that Liverpool are reportedly receiving around €85 million for Diaz, the net spend on upgrading to a player of Rodrygo's calibre would be minimal. As the report puts it, 'Rodrygo would be a dream deal,' and there's little reason to doubt that assessment. Our View – Anfield Index Analysis This would be the type of signing that excites Liverpool fans not just because of the name, but because of what it signals. Arne Slot already has the fanbase behind him after delivering a Premier League title in his debut season. Now, adding a world-class attacking talent like Rodrygo would only push the club closer to a new dynasty. Rodrygo's technical excellence, versatility and goal-scoring ability make him an ideal fit for a Liverpool side transitioning out of the Klopp era but keen to stay at the top of English and European football. He could slot into the left of a front three, complementing Salah and potentially Wirtz, with room to rotate into central or right-sided roles if needed. This isn't about buying for buying's sake. It's strategic. It's Michael Edwards at his calculating best. And if Liverpool can complete this move swiftly, the rest of Europe will sit up and take notice. The dream is no longer just winning titles, it's building a legacy. Rodrygo could be a major pillar in that plan.
Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'I am not bitter' - Mbappe on PSG Champions League win
Kylian Mbappe says he is not bitter over Paris St-Germain's Champions League victory less than a year after leaving the club for Real Madrid. The forward left PSG as the club's record goalscorer but was unable to win European football's premier club competition in seven seasons with the French giants before signing for Madrid on a free transfer in July 2024. Advertisement PSG cruised past Inter Milan 5-0 to win their first Champions League title on 31 May. "I didn't leave too soon; my story with PSG was over. I am not bitter; I had reached the end of the road," said France captain Mbappe, who scored 256 goals for PSG. Speaking on Saturday at a news conference before France's Nations League third-place match with Germany, Mbappe added: "I tried everything, and it was destiny that meant it had to happen without me. "PSG winning the Champions League without me doesn't affect me. I was happy - I think they deserved it. "They've had so many years where they struggled. I've been there too; I've played in every Champions League stage in Paris except for the victory. Advertisement "They're the best team in Europe. I don't remember seeing a team win 5-0 in a major final." The closest Mbappe came to Champions League success with his boyhood club was a runners-up medal following defeat by Bayern Munich in the 2020 final. Mbappe's Madrid, who were knocked out by Arsenal at the quarter-final stage of last season's Champions League, ended the campaign without a trophy for the first time in four years. The 26-year-old did enjoy some success, though, after scoring 31 La Liga goals to win the European Golden Shoe.
