Niko Kovac Confident Borussia Dortmund Possess the Talent to Revive Their Season

Borussia Dortmund’s impressive three-match performance under interim coach Mike Tullberg, featuring two wins and a draw across all competitions, has highlighted the squad’s potential to revitalise their season, asserted new head coach Niko Kovac on Tuesday.

Kovac officially stepped into the role on Sunday, following the dismissal of Nuri Sahin, who was let go on January 22 after a disappointing spell that saw the team lose four consecutive matches.

During his brief tenure, Tullberg guided the team to a draw and a win in the Bundesliga, along with a Champions League triumph over Shakhtar Donetsk, effectively ending their run of losses.

“The last three matches have been very encouraging. It’s clear the team possesses the quality required. I genuinely believe this team is quite strong,” Kovac remarked at a press conference.

“Much of the situation comes down to self-belief. Yes, there was a period where things didn’t flow well, but the last three games showed remarkable improvement. Mike did an excellent job, and we owe him our gratitude for that.”

Currently sitting in 11th place in the Bundesliga, Dortmund, who were finalists in last season’s Champions League, are in danger of missing out on European competition next year.

This Saturday, the Ruhr Valley team will welcome Stuttgart, followed by a crucial Champions League play-off clash against Sporting next week for a coveted place in the last 16.

“The players have experienced the joy of winning,” Kovac pointed out, reflecting on their recent matches under Tullberg. “Victories are vital for building confidence. It’s essential for players to focus on the present and future rather than lingering on past challenges.”

“We find ourselves in 11th position and face a significant match at home against Stuttgart next. We aim to secure a win to progress to the next stage and restore Dortmund to where it rightfully belongs, at the top,” he added.

Kovac, who previously guided Bayern Munich to a league and cup double in 2018-19, has also managed Eintracht Frankfurt and VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, and had a brief spell with Ligue 1 outfit AS Monaco.

“It’s clear that the current situation isn’t ideal, but one can’t always expect the luxury of summer or winter pre-season prep,” Kovac acknowledged. “We won’t be reinventing the wheel; the players already understand a lot. The focus must be on instilling confidence, as every player needs that boost.”