Kovac under pressure at Dortmund? Ricken has his say | OneFootball

After mounting criticism in recent weeks, Lars Ricken has publicly backed coach Niko Kovac. At the same time, the BVB boss is demanding the next step in development from both the team and the club.

Borussia Dortmund will spend the winter break in second place in the Bundesliga, but true satisfaction has yet to set in at BVB. Performances and match outcomes have been too inconsistent lately, and debates about playing style, mentality, and coach Niko Kovac have grown louder. Sporting director Lars Ricken has now spoken out publicly—and sent a clear message in the process.

Ricken unequivocally stood behind the coach. “Things are working between Niko and the team,” the 49-year-old emphasized to kicker, contradicting reports of a tense relationship. Kovac has laid important foundations and stabilized the team in recent months—a crucial point after the turbulent previous years.

Nevertheless, the sporting boss still sees room for improvement. When asked whether Dortmund is already a top team, Ricken gave a clear no. “We’re still missing a few attributes,” he explained, and was explicit: “The final will and the ultimate hunger to take that last and most important step to win close games.” That, he said, is exactly where the team needs to develop further.

Internal Points of Friction: BVB Boss Ricken Takes Action

The recently publicized points of friction—critical statements from individual players, refused handshakes, or frustration after substitutions—are, in Ricken’s view, primarily questions of attitude. After one incident, he deliberately sought direct contact with the team. “When I do that, it’s not about right or wrong runs, but about the values of Borussia Dortmund. About attitude. About what BVB stands for.”

From Ricken’s perspective, Karim Adeyemi’s behavior after his substitution against Mönchengladbach also did not fit these principles. “Such behavior after a substitution is not tolerable for us,” he made clear, but also emphasized that such situations would be dealt with internally.

The course is thus set for the second half of the season: no winter transfers, no knee-jerk reactions—instead, further development with the existing squad. Kovac enjoys the trust of the club’s management. The next step is now expected to follow on the pitch.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.