DORTMUND: Newly-appointed Borussia Dortmund coach Niko Kovac said on Tuesday he would demand “dedication and passion” as he hopes to get the struggling German club back on track.
Dortmund were Champions League finalists in June but have floundered this season and sit 11th in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund sacked previous coach Nuri Sahin in January, just six months after his appointment.
Former Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt and Monaco coach Kovac, 53, signed a deal at Dortmund until 2026 on Sunday.
Speaking at his unveiling on Tuesday, Kovac said he would not budge from his disciplinarian style which has won him trophies, but also left noses out of joint at previous clubs.
“We want to work hard because I believe only someone who works will get something in return,” he said.
“I’m a hard worker... everything that me and my family have achieved comes through hard work.
“Titles mean success, but (last year’s Champions League final) is also a success. I see some very, very positive developments.”
Kovac, who has only once served longer than two years in a coaching role, is the latest man tasked with bringing back consistent success since Jurgen Klopp’s seven-year tenure at the club ended in 2015.
Kovac said the short stints were part of “the business of modern football.”
“There are of course exceptions, like Jurgen, whether that was here or in Liverpool,” he said.
“But we are convinced we can chart the right course together.”
Kovac revealed he would live in a hotel until the summer, away from his family, to allow him “to focus fully” on the task at hand.
Despite taking training for the first time on Sunday, Kovac has had a hand in recruitment, including the deadline day signing of Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka on loan.
Dortmund managing director Lars Ricken said bringing in the experienced Kovac was needed, with the club’s last two coaches Sahin and Edin Terzic promoted from assistant jobs.
“In our current situation, external input is extremely necessary,” Ricken said.
“In Niko, we’ve found the right person. He stands for success, but has also taken over teams in difficult situations.”
Kovac pledges to get struggling Dortmund back on track
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Kovac pledges to get struggling Dortmund back on track
- Dortmund were Champions League finalists in June but have floundered this season and sit 11th in the Bundesliga
- Dortmund sacked previous coach Nuri Sahin in January, just six months after his appointment
Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr to Saudi Pro League victory on return to starting XI
- After missing three consecutive games, the Portuguese talisman needed just 18 minutes to open his account on Saturday
- Al-Nassr keep the pressure on Al-Hilal, sitting one point behind the league leaders after Matchday 22
RIYADH: With Al-Nassr firmly in the Saudi Pro League title race and waiting for any slip-up from Al-Hilal, Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to the starting XI came as a timely boost after a period dominated by off-field distractions involving the player, the club and the Public Investment Fund.
The visitors overcame a stern test at the Meydan Tamweel Al-Oula Stadium, a venue where they suffered a frustrating 3-2 defeat last season, to secure all three points.
Ronaldo had an early sight of goal just 34 seconds into the match, meeting Kingsley Coman’s cross at the far post but sending his volley wide.
Despite failing to win in their previous six outings, Al-Fateh posed an early threat, with Mourad Batna beating two defenders before firing narrowly wide in the seventh minute.
Chances followed at both ends. Coman squandered a golden opportunity after latching onto Sadio Mane’s cross, before Mane himself struck the side netting from a tight angle in the 15th minute.
Ronaldo eventually broke the deadlock three minutes later. Mane beat Saad Baattia in a one-on-one duel before delivering a low cross into the area, where the Portuguese forward finished confidently for his 18th-minute opener, the 962nd goal of his professional career.
The 39-year-old came close to adding a second in the 30th minute, but Joao Felix’s cross flashed across goal just beyond his reach.
Al-Fateh responded with sustained pressure from set pieces, though goalkeeper Bento produced a series of saves, including a sharp stop from Batna’s free-kick before reacting quickly after Matias Vargas struck the crossbar.
Despite trailing at the break, Al-Fateh continued to press in the second half and had strong penalty appeals waved away when Batna was brought down in the box.
A lengthy VAR check followed in the 52nd minute after Mohamed Simakan bundled the ball into the net, but the goal was ruled out after a six-minute review.
Al-Nassr eventually sealed the result in the 77th minute when Coman’s cross was met by Ayman Yahya, who blasted past Fernando Pacheco to secure the points.
The win lifts Al-Nassr to 52 points, just one behind Al-Hilal, who beat Al-Ettifaq on Friday. Al-Fateh drop to 10th on 24 points.
Elsewhere, Al-Riyadh slipped two points closer to the relegation zone after a 1-1 draw with Al-Khaleej, with Kostas Fortounis cancelling out Leandro Antunes’ opener late on. Al-Najma also made history by claiming their first Saudi Pro League victory, ending a 20-match winless run with a 2-1 success over Al-Kholood.
The Saudi Pro League resumes on Thursday, with Al-Ahli hosting Al-Najma, while the weekend’s headline fixture sees Al-Hilal face Al-Ittihad in Riyadh following Karim Benzema’s controversial deadline-day move.
