BVB leadership urges Niko Kovac to boost attack and youth play despite strong standing

Borussia Dortmund’s leadership has given head coach Niko Kovac two clear directives: play more attractive football and provide greater playing time to youth talent, even as the team clings to a Champions League spot through opponents’ struggles rather than consistent dominance.

The directives, reported by Sport Bild and confirmed by multiple outlets, come despite Kovac’s strong standing within the club. Dortmund’s management views the 54-year-old Croatian as a central figure in the club’s future, not a temporary fix. His influence extends into squad planning, where he is consulted on player evaluations and encouraged to propose profiles that fit the team’s evolving needs.

On the pitch, Kovac’s shift from a back four to a back three has stabilized a team that looked uncertain earlier in the season. Midfielder Pascal Groß praised the clarity of Kovac’s communication, noting that everyone knows their role. Yet the coach remains self-critical. After a 4–0 win over Wolfsburg, he admitted the first half lacked creativity, describing the team as “static” and likening their movement to “windscreen wipers” chasing the ball.

The victory was anchored by striker Serhou Guirassy, who scored both of Dortmund’s goals in the first and second halves to lift his season tally to 12 goals in the second half of the campaign — the highest in the Bundesliga during that period. Karim Adeyemi also contributed a brace off the bench, fueled by frustration over his limited starting role, a dynamic Kovac acknowledged as beneficial for squad competition.

Despite the win, Dortmund’s position in the top four owes as much to rivals’ inconsistencies as to their own form. The club has benefited from minimal injuries during the season’s final stretch, with experienced players like Emre Can, Marcel Sabitzer, and Carney Chukwuemeka providing depth on the bench. Still, the absence of long-term absences among key defenders and midfielders has masked deeper issues in creativity, and consistency.

Looking ahead, Kovac intends to use the summer break to develop recent offensive concepts aimed at increasing both cutting edge and creativity. The club has already signed two players — Justin Lerma and Kaua Prates — who fit the desired profile of technically gifted attackers capable of unlocking tight defenses. Their integration will be central to Dortmund’s attempt to satisfy the dual mandate of aesthetic improvement and youth integration.

In recent weeks, young players such as Luca Reggiani, Samuele Inacio, Mathis Albert, and Mussa Kaba have begun to feature more regularly, particularly in games where the outcome no longer affects European qualification. Kovac has accepted the directive to increase their minutes, viewing the end of the season as a viable window for experimentation without jeopardizing competitive goals.

The club’s faith in Kovac remains intact. Internal sources describe his standing as “enormous,” with leadership seeing him not just as a coach for the present but as a foundational element of Dortmund’s long-term project. This trust allows him latitude in shaping both the team’s immediate tactics and its future roster composition.

How has Kovac’s tactical change impacted the team’s performance?

His shift from a four-man to a three-man defense has brought greater defensive stability, according to players like Pascal Groß, who noted the team now plays more consistently and understands their roles clearly under Kovac’s leadership.

What specific player types is Dortmund targeting to improve their attacking play?

The club is seeking technically skilled attackers with the ability to create chances in tight spaces, exemplified by the recent signings of Justin Lerma and Kaua Prates, who are expected to enhance both creativity and goal-scoring threat.