Niko Kovac's Dortmund record surpasses Klopp's but fan affection remains elusive
Niko Kovac is achieving superior results at Borussia Dortmund compared to the club's legendary former manager Jürgen Klopp, yet he continues to struggle to win the unconditional affection of the Signal Iduna Park faithful. According to a report from WDR, the Croatian coach has amassed an average of 2.19 points per match since his controversial appointment in February 2025, a figure that rises to 2.29 for the current campaign. This outpaces the 1.91 average Klopp recorded at the end of his storied tenure, underscoring Kovac's effective, if not always celebrated, impact.
The discussion around Kovac's standing was reignited following Dortmund's recent 2-0 victory over VfB Stuttgart, a match where the team was statistically dominated but scored two late counter-attacking goals. Kovac himself admitted the performance was "no footballing delicacy," a sentiment echoed by widespread fan criticism online regarding the team's perceived lack of creative ambition and possession. This disconnect persists despite Dortmund sitting second in the Bundesliga, holding a 15-point advantage over third-placed Bayer Leverkusen and trailing leaders Bayern Munich by nine points.
Statistically, Kovac's tenure is historic. With only two defeats this season—both to Bayern—Dortmund is enjoying its best defensive record in 60 years. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has kept 13 clean sheets, the most in the league, a stark improvement from just seven in the previous campaign. The team also began 2026 by scoring at least twice in its first 13 league matches, an unprecedented Bundesliga record. These achievements have solidified his position, with sporting director Lars Ricken telling Sport Bild that Kovac will "100 percent" remain in charge for the 2026/27 season.
The core issue appears to be stylistic. While Klopp's era was defined by high-intensity, emotionally captivating football, Kovac has prioritized defensive solidity and pragmatic efficiency to close a significant gap to the top. Last season, Dortmund finished 25 points behind Bayern and 12 behind Leverkusen; Kovac has dramatically reversed that deficit. His job security is not in question, but the challenge of marrying results with the attacking identity demanded by the club's supporters remains his defining task moving forward.
