Borussia Dortmund has appointed former Bayern Munich manager and player Niko Kovač as the new men’s first-team manager. Kovač has signed a contract valid until 2026 with the club.

German journalist Florian Plettenberg broke the news on his official X handle. Kovač’s first game will be against Heidenheim in the Bundesliga.

Dortmund Director of Sport Lars Ricken praised Kovač’s approach and expressed confidence in him, stating: “Niko’s teams have always been characterized by energy, determination, and a sense of the importance of team spirit. We want to feel and see all of this both on and off the pitch. We find ourselves in a challenging situation, and are certain that in Niko, we have found a coach who is capable of overcoming it.”

Kovač is not new to the Bundesliga, having managed VfL Wolfsburg, FC Bayern Munich, and Eintracht Frankfurt. His most successful spell was at Bayern, where he won the double – the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal.