Dortmund set to appoint Kovac as head coach

Dortmund set to appoint Kovac as head coach

Croatian coach Niko Kovac is set to take over at Borussia Dortmund following its 3-1 home win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, securing a spot in the Champions League playoffs.

Dortmund dismissed Nuri Sahin last week after a poor run of results, and German media reported during the match that Kovac, a former Bundesliga player and manager, was poised to step in.

“We have reached an agreement in principle with Niko Kovac. He will take over on Sunday,” managing director Lars Ricken told DAZN.

Interim coach Mike Tullberg, promoted from the club’s Under-19 side, will lead Dortmund in Saturday’s Bundesliga clash at Heidenheim. He secured the team’s first league point of the year with a 2-2 draw at Werder Bremen before overseeing Wednesday’s victory, courtesy of two first-half goals from Serhou Guirassy and a late Ramy Bensebaini strike.

“Pure emotion. We took a step in the right direction against Bremen, another today, and now I hope for a third on Saturday,” Tullberg said.

Dortmund finished among the seeded teams and will face either Club Brugge or Sporting Lisbon in a two-legged playoff for a last-16 spot. Guirassy, delighted with his brace, is eager for the challenge.

“It was a positive result. I’m happy with my two goals and the win. That’s nine (Champions League) goals for me this season, but now we focus on the playoffs,” he said.