Dortmund CEO confirms Niko Kovac contract extension is 'only a matter of time'
Borussia Dortmund CEO Carsten Cramer has confirmed that manager Niko Kovac is close to signing a new long-term contract until 2029.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Steffen Prößdorf
The board at Borussia Dortmund is preparing to formalize a new long-term deal for manager Niko Kovac. While the agreement is not yet signed, CEO Carsten Cramer has stated that extending the Croatian coach's stay until 2029 is "only a matter of time."
Cramer explained that the delay is merely a result of logistical challenges during the recent international break rather than any disagreement. "The appreciation for Niko Kovac is incredibly high. It's only a matter of time, that much is clear," the executive noted.
Since replacing Nuri Sahin in January 2025, Niko Kovac has overseen a dramatic transformation at Signal Iduna Park. He inherited a side in 11th place and successfully guided them to Champions League qualification, followed by a runners-up finish in the Bundesliga during the 2025-26 campaign.
Dortmund have started the 2026-27 season in exceptional form, winning all four of their opening league fixtures and securing a victory in the Champions League against Real Betis. The club is now focused on maintaining this momentum through a busy October schedule before finalizing the contract extension.