Niko Kovač

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Template:Short description Template:EngvarB Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography Niko Kovač (Template:IPA; born 15 October 1971) is a professional football manager and former player. He is the manager of Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.

Born and raised in West Germany, Kovač was the long-standing captain of the Croatia national team until his retirement from international football in January 2009. A defensive midfielder who was known for his passing and tackling skills, Kovač was, at the time of his retirement, the oldest player in the Croatian squad and had captained them at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008. He has also enjoyed a high level of top club action, having spent most of his club career in the German Bundesliga, including spells with Hertha BSC, Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburger SV and Bayern Munich.

He ended his playing career with Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg, where he then took the non-playing role of the reserve team coach and eventually became assistant manager under team manager Ricardo Moniz. In January 2013, Kovač took over the Croatia national under-21 team and in October 2013 he took over the Croatia senior team following the dismissal of Igor Štimac. Kovač managed Croatia at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, then became head coach of Eintracht Frankfurt in 2016, winning the 2018 DFB-Pokal Final with the club. At Bayern, Kovač won the domestic double in 2019 after a strong ending to the season, but lost his job later in autumn. In summer 2020, he was appointed manager of Monaco, but was sacked on 1 January 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He then returned to German football as manager of Wolfsburg from 2022 to 2024 before taking over at Borussia Dortmund in January 2025.

Club career

Early career (1987–1996)

Kovač started training football as an eight-year old with Rapide Wedding in Berlin.<ref name="Jutarnji"/><ref name="Jutarnji2"/> After that, he joined Hertha Zehlendorf and soon became a member of the first team. He moved to Hertha BSC in 1991 and started his professional career with the club that competed in the 2. Bundesliga at the time.<ref name="Jutarnji2"/>

During his youth, Kovač in parallel with football practiced judo, earning the blue belt. After finishing high school (gymnasium), he continued his education at Free University of Berlin. He pursued a degree in business studies while playing for Hertha BSC. After eight semesters, he left university when he secured a contract with Bayer Leverkusen.<ref name="Jutarnji2"/><ref name="Zeit">Template:Cite news</ref>

Kovač joined Hamburger SV in the summer of 1999 and spent two seasons with the club, making 55 Bundesliga appearances and scoring 12 goals in the Bundesliga.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Red Bull Salzburg (2006–2009)

Kovač in 2009

After the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Kovač left Hertha after three seasons for Austrian Bundesliga side Red Bull Salzburg. He was a regular in the Salzburg team and also appeared in all of their four UEFA Champions League qualifiers in the summer of 2006. On 26 August 2006, he scored his first goal for Red Bull Salzburg in the Bundesliga, netting the second goal in their 4–0 home victory over Wacker Tirol. He signed one more year until summer 2009 in May 2008. On 29 May 2009, Kovač left after three years with Red Bull and retired from professional football. He played his last match for Red Bull in a friendly against former club Bayern Munich; he was substituted off after the first 15 minutes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

International career

Kovač made his senior international debut in Croatia's friendly match against Morocco on 11 December 1996 in Casablanca.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Better source needed

After Euro 2004, Kovač became the Croatia national team's captain and led the team through the qualifying campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals in Germany. He appeared in nine of ten qualifying matches and scored two goals, both in Croatia's 4–0 victory over Iceland at home in Zagreb. At the final tournament, he appeared in all three of Croatia's group matches, despite sustaining an injury which forced him to leave the pitch after 40 minutes of the team's opening match against Brazil. Kovač scored the goal that put Croatia 2–1 up in the final group match against Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Kovač finally announced his international retirement on 7 January 2009, stating a desire that younger players should be given experience in the Croatia side.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Coaching career

Red Bull Salzburg

Kovač as the assistant coach for Red Bull Salzburg, 2011

After his retirement from professional football, Kovač became coach of the reserve team of Red Bull Salzburg, Red Bull Juniors, between 16 June 2009<ref name="Kovac coacht Junioren">Template:Cite magazine</ref> to 7 April 2011.<ref name="RB Salzburg (A)/FC Anif » Manager history">Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2009–10 season, he finished in sixth place<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and were knocked out in the Austrian Cup in the second round in a shootout.<ref name="2009–10 season">Template:Cite web</ref> He was with the second team until 7 April 2011.<ref name="RB Salzburg (A)/FC Anif » Manager history"/> His final match was a 1–1 draw against SV Seekirchen.<ref name="2010–11 season">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2011, he was promoted to being assistant coach of the first squad<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> together with Ricardo Moniz as head coach. After Moniz resigned as a first-team coach in June 2012, Kovač was one of the favourites for taking his position. However, the position went to Roger Schmidt and Kovač subsequently left Salzburg.

Croatia

Under-21

On 21 January 2013, Igor Štimac, head coach of the Croatia national team, announced that Kovač, alongside his brother Robert as assistant coach, would take over as the under-21 team head coach.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Senior

On 16 October 2013, Davor Šuker, president of the Croatian Football Federation, announced that Niko Kovač was appointed caretaker manager of the Croatia senior team.<ref name="Niko Kovac soll Kroatien noch zur WM führen">Template:Cite magazine</ref> He replaced Štimac, who was sacked after Croatia scraped into the World Cup play-offs having taken only one point from their last four qualifiers. However, one day later, in an inaugural press conference, Šuker stated HNS signed a two-year contract with Kovač and his staff including his brother Robert Kovač, Vatroslav Mihačić and Goran Lacković, until the end of Croatia's UEFA Euro 2016 campaign.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His first two matches for Croatia were in the World Cup play-offs against Iceland.<ref name="Croatia 2013">Template:Cite web</ref> Croatia managed to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil after winning the play-off tie against Iceland 2–0 on aggregate.<ref name="Croatia 2013"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At the World Cup, Croatia won 4–0 against Cameroon and lost 3–1 against Brazil and Mexico.<ref name="Croatia 2014">Template:Cite web</ref> Croatia did not qualify from their group. On 9 September 2015, HNS terminated Kovač's contract after Croatia lost 2–0 against Norway in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying.<ref name="Kroatien entlässt die Kovac-Brüder">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="Croatia 2015">Template:Cite web</ref>

Eintracht Frankfurt

Kovač was appointed as head coach of Eintracht Frankfurt on 8 March 2016.<ref name="Eintracht holt Kovac als Veh-Nachfolger">Template:Cite magazine</ref> He made his managerial debut for Eintracht in a 3–0 loss against Borussia Mönchengladbach.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The club only finished the season in 16th place, requiring them to play in the relegation play-offs against 1. FC Nürnberg.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> After drawing the first leg 1–1 at home,<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Kovač ensured Eintracht's survival in the Bundesliga after Haris Seferovic's goal won the second leg 1–0.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Kovač received a Fair Play Prize from the DOSB for his gesture of comforting Nürnberg's players after their defeat.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In the 2016–17 season, Eintracht managed to finish mid-table in eleventh position, as well as notably reaching the 2017 DFB-Pokal Final, club's first final since 2006, where Eintracht lost 1–2 against Borussia Dortmund.<ref name="BBC">Template:Cite web</ref> In the 2017–18 season, Eintracht competed for a place in European competition for the following season.<ref name="BBCBayerncontract">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Kovač has typically used a 3–4–2–1 formation with emphasis on defensive stability and wing play.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He took Eintracht to the 2018 DFB-Pokal Final, the second in succession for the club, where he beat his future employer, Bayern Munich. With that victory, Kovač led Eintracht to its first trophy since 1988.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He finished with a record of 38 wins, 20 draws and 33 losses in 91 matches.<ref name="Eintracht Frankfurt - Trainerhistorie">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Adi Hütter became his successor.

Bayern Munich

Kovač with Bayern Munich in 2019

On 13 April 2018, Bayern Munich announced that Kovač would succeed Jupp Heynckes as head coach of the club for the 2018–19 season, with a three-year contract lasting until 30 June 2021.<ref name="BBCBayerncontract"/><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Kovač's brother, Robert, served as assistant coach to him.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Kovač had a contract with Frankfurt until 30 June 2018 and Bayern had to pay a release clause in his contract reported to be around €2.2 million.<ref name="BBCBayerncontract"/> Kovač is just the fourth former player to manage Bayern Munich after Søren Lerby, Franz Beckenbauer and Jürgen Klinsmann.<ref name="Niko Kovac: 10 things on Bayern Munich's new coach">Template:Cite web</ref> Kovač was the third Croatian to manage Bayern after Zlatko Čajkovski and Branko Zebec.<ref name="Niko Kovac: 10 things on Bayern Munich's new coach"/>

On 12 August, Kovač won his first match as coach of Bayern 5–0 in the German Super Cup against his former club, Eintracht Frankfurt.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He won his first Bundesliga game in charge as Bayern defeated 1899 Hoffenheim 3–1 at home on 25 August.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 25 May 2019, Kovač led Bayern to a league and cup double when Bayern defeated RB Leipzig 3–0 in the 2019 DFB-Pokal Final. It was Kovač's second consecutive cup victory as he became the first coach since Felix Magath in 2005 and 2006 to win back-to-back cup titles. Kovač also became the first person to win a league and cup double both as a player and coach in German football.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 1 October, Bayern defeated Tottenham Hotspur 7–2 in the Champions League, with Serge Gnabry scoring four goals. It was Bayern's second highest victory in European competitions, only behind their 7–1 victory against Roma in October 2014.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 3 November, Kovač left by mutual agreement after a 5–1 loss to his former club, Eintracht Frankfurt.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Monaco

On 19 July 2020, Kovač was appointed as head coach at Ligue 1 club Monaco.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In his first game as Monaco coach on 23 August, Kovač secured a 2–2 draw after being two goals down against Reims.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 20 November, Monaco beat French champions and Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain 3–2 after falling behind 0–2.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 21 February 2021, he defeated Paris Saint-Germain once again, this time 2–0. It was the first time since March 2016 that Monaco won at Parc des Princes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Kovač was subsequently widely praised by French sports media.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 19 May, Monaco lost 2–0 to Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France Final.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 1 January 2022, Monaco announced the departure of Kovač.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

VfL Wolfsburg

VfL Wolfsburg announced the appointment of Kovač on 24 May 2022, marking his return to the Bundesliga after three years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was sacked in March 2024.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Borussia Dortmund

Kovač signed an 18-month deal with Borussia Dortmund on 29 January 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Kovač took charge with the team in 11th place.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Under his leadership, Dortmund reached the Champions League quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Barcelona.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the final matchday, the club climbed to fourth, securing Champions League qualification for the next season.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 26 August 2025, he extended his contract until 2027.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Managerial style

Throughout his career at various clubs, Kovac has implemented a mix of 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 formations with a clear focus on how the team plays without possession. He works on increasing his team's intensity behind the ball so they are able to defend in a compact, mid-high press to force their opponents wide. As soon as they would win the ball, they make use of their quick players in fast transitions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

Kovač was born on 15 October 1971 in Wedding, West Berlin, to a Bosnian Croat family hailing from Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina. His parents, Mato and Ivka, emigrated from SFR Yugoslavia to West Germany in 1970 as part of the gastarbeiter program. He has two younger siblings, brother Robert and sister Nikolina.<ref name="Jutarnji">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Jutarnji2">Template:Cite news</ref> Kovač is also a German national, thus eligible to represent Germany, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina at international level; he opted for Croatia.<ref name="Niko Kovac: 10 things on Bayern Munich's new coach"/>

Kovač married his primary school sweetheart in 1999. They have a daughter named Laura.<ref name="Jutarnji"/> Kovač is a Roman Catholic. He generally lives a quiet family life, and considers a family of great value and tries to convey that to his players.<ref name="Zeit"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Template:Quote box

In 2007, Kovač appeared in Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ)'s campaign video for that year's parliamentary election. The video focuses on Croatian diaspora's right to vote, and depicts Kovač talking about his connection with his homeland. One of the lines from the video, "Template:Lang" (My brother Robert, as well), entered Croatian popular culture and is frequently quoted by the people and the media in the country when referring to the brothers.<ref>

Career statistics

Club

Club Season League Cup League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Hertha Zehlendorf 1990–91 Oberliga Berlin 25 7 — — — — 25 7
Hertha BSC II 1990–91 Oberliga Berlin 12 1 — — — — 12 1
Hertha BSC 1991–92 2. Bundesliga Nord 12 0 0 0 — — — 12 0
1992–93 2. Bundesliga 42 1 3 0 — — — 45 1
1993–94 2. Bundesliga 32 1 0 0 — — — 32 1
1994–95 2. Bundesliga 31 2 1 0 — — — 32 2
1995–96 2. Bundesliga 31 11 2 0 — — — 33 11
Total 148 15 6 0 — — — 154 15
Bayer Leverkusen 1996–97 Bundesliga 32 3 1 0 — — — 33 3
1997–98 Bundesliga 18 1 3 1 1 0 7<ref group=lower-alpha name="UCL">Appearances in the UEFA Champions League.</ref> 0 — 29 2
1998–99 Bundesliga 27 4 1 0 2 0 4<ref group=lower-alpha name="UC">Appearances in the UEFA Cup.</ref> 0 — 34 4
Total 77 8 5 1 3 0 11 0 — 96 9
Hamburger SV 1999–2000 Bundesliga 30 8 1 0 — — — 31 8
2000–01 Bundesliga 25 4 1 0 1 0 9<ref group=lower-alpha name="Europe">Appearances in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup.</ref> 1 — 36 5
Total 55 12 2 0 1 0 9 1 — 67 13
Bayern Munich 2001–02 Bundesliga 16 2 3 1 1 0 4<ref group=lower-alpha name="UCL"/> 0 2<ref group=lower-alpha>Appearances in the UEFA Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup.</ref> 0 26 3
2002–03 Bundesliga 18 1 4 0 1 0 2<ref group=lower-alpha name="UCL"/> 1 — 25 2
Total 34 3 7 1 2 0 6 1 2 0 51 5
Hertha BSC 2003–04 Bundesliga 17 1 3 0 — 1<ref group=lower-alpha name="UC"/> 0 — 21 1
2004–05 Bundesliga 30 4 1 0 — — — 31 4
2005–06 Bundesliga 28 3 3 1 1 0 4<ref group=lower-alpha name="UC"/> 0 — 36 4
Total 75 8 7 1 1 0 5 0 — 88 9
Red Bull Salzburg 2006–07 Austrian Bundesliga 28 6 1 0 — 6<ref group=lower-alpha name="Europe"/> 0 — 35 6
2007–08 Austrian Bundesliga 25 3 — — 4<ref group=lower-alpha name="Europe"/> 0 — 29 3
2008–09 Austrian Bundesliga 12 0 0 0 — 3<ref group=lower-alpha name="UC"/> 0 — 15 0
Total 65 9 1 0 — 13 0 — 79 9
Career total 491 63 28 3 7 0 44 2 2 0 572 68
Source:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Template:Reflist

International goals

Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Final Competition
1 29 March 2000 Maksimir, Zagreb Template:Fb
1–1
1–1
 Friendly
2 5 September 2001 Olimpico, Serravalle Template:Fb
1–0
4–0
 World Cup 2002 Qualifying
3 8 May 2002 PMFC, Pécs Template:Fb
2–0
2–0
 Friendly
4 11 June 2003 A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn Template:Fb
1–0
1–0
 Euro 2004 Qualifying
5 6 September 2003 Comunal, Aixovall Template:Fb
1–0
3–0
6 21 June 2004 Estádio da Luz, Lisbon Template:Fb
1–0
2–4
 Euro 2004
7–8 26 March 2005 Maksimir, Zagreb Template:Fb
1–0
4–0
 World Cup 2006 Qualifying
3–0
9 22 June 2006 Gottlieb-Daimler, Stuttgart Template:Fb
2–1
2–2
 World Cup 2006
10–11 22 August 2007 Koševo, Sarajevo Template:Fb
3–2
5–3
 Friendly
5–3
12 24 May 2008 Kantrida, Rijeka Template:Fb
1–0
1–0
13 31 May 2008 Szusza Ferenc, Budapest Template:Fb
1–0
1–1
14 6 September 2008 Maksimir, Zagreb Template:Fb
1–0
3–0
 World Cup 2010 Qualifying

Managerial statistics

Template:Updated

Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Template:Abbr
Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip Template:Tooltip
Croatia U21 21 January 2013 16 October 2013

Template:WDL

<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Croatia 16 October 2013 9 September 2015

Template:WDL

<ref name="Croatia 2013"/><ref name="Croatia 2014"/><ref name="Croatia 2015"/>
Eintracht Frankfurt 8 March 2016 30 June 2018<ref name="Eintracht Frankfurt - Trainerhistorie"/>

Template:WDL

<ref name="Eintracht Frankfurt - Trainerhistorie"/>
Bayern Munich 1 July 2018<ref name="BBCBayerncontract"/> 3 November 2019

Template:WDL

<ref name="Bayern München - Trainerhistorie">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Monaco 19 July 2020 1 January 2022

Template:WDL

<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
VfL Wolfsburg 24 May 2022 17 March 2024

Template:WDL

Borussia Dortmund 2 February 2025 present

Template:WDL

Total

Template:WDLtot

Honours

Player

Bayern Munich

Red Bull Salzburg

Manager

Eintracht Frankfurt<ref name="Soccerway">Template:Cite web</ref>

Bayern Munich<ref name="Soccerway" />

Monaco<ref name="Soccerway"/>

References

Template:Reflist

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