Borussia Dortmund’s coach, Niko Kovac, feels his team is missing the truly exceptional players that BVB has had in its recent past.
«What we certainly don’t have are those players that perhaps some here would like to see – with the extra skills,» Kovac admitted during a talk with legendary former Leverkusen manager Reiner Calmund.
Kovac was responding to widespread sentiment surrounding BVB that the current squad lacks outstanding individual talents. «I believe what we or the fans are perhaps missing are the Sanchos, the Haalands, the Dembeles, the Reuses,» the 54-year-old recalled, referencing examples from the club’s recent history.
At the same time, Kovac emphasized that the Dortmund team can still be proud of its achievements even without such special players. «I believe we are doing a good job with the lads we have. They are great, and I am happy to be working with them, but of course, we also want to improve,» he stated.
Will Jadon Sancho Return to BVB for a Second Stint?
Of the players mentioned by Kovac, Reus and Sancho were the last two to leave BVB. Club icon Reus, who played for Borussia in his youth, was not offered a new contract in 2024 and moved to LA Galaxy in the USA. Sancho had previously made the leap to international stardom in Dortmund from 2017 to 2021 and returned to Westphalia for a six-month loan in the second half of the 2023/24 season.
Recently, the hopes of BVB fans for Sancho to be back in the team again have been growing. According to Ruhr Nachrichten, Dortmund’s management is increasingly convinced that the English super-dribbler could be useful for Kovac’s playing style. Sancho is currently on loan at Aston Villa until the end of the season, where he has recently shown improving form. With his contract at Manchester United expiring at the end of June and no future at the Red Devils, the 26-year-old would be available on a free transfer. BVB is reportedly willing to offer him a salary of up to seven million euros per year for a potential return.
BVB Needs a Replacement for Julian Brandt in the Summer
Dortmund needs reinforcement in creative areas this summer, as a difference-maker like Julian Brandt will be leaving the club on a free transfer upon the expiry of his contract. Meanwhile, Nico Schlotterbeck, one of the team’s cornerstones, has signed a new contract until 2031. However, this contract is said to include a release clause that could allow the center-back to leave BVB after the World Cup for a handful of clubs for a fee of 60 million euros.
The current season is winding down for Kovac, whose contract runs until the summer of 2027, and his team. The championship title is only theoretically possible given the twelve-point deficit to league leaders Bayern Munich, while qualification for the Champions League is all but secured with a twelve-point lead over fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen. In the remaining five matchdays, which begin with an away fixture at TSG Hoffenheim on Saturday, BVB’s focus will be on defending second place. Here too, the eight-point lead over third-placed VfB Stuttgart is more than comfortable.