“Unfortunate”: BVB boss Kovac on the Schlotterbeck debate | OneFootball

Nico Schlotterbeck’s comments about extending his contract at BVB have kept the debate swirling. Niko Kovac has now weighed in on the situation – and called some of the wording “unfortunate.”

The discussion surrounding Nico Schlotterbeck and a contract extension at Borussia Dortmund continues to generate plenty of talk. Following the Germany international’s remarks during the international break, BVB head coach Niko Kovac has now also commented on the matter at length – and clearly came to the defense of his center-back.

The debate was triggered by Schlotterbeck’s comments after Germany’s 2–1 win over Ghana. The 26-year-old firmly rejected reports of an allegedly imminent contract extension and stressed: “We’re unfortunately not yet at the point where the signature is just around the corner.” At the same time, he suggested that the negotiating situation had shifted due to personnel changes at the club.

For Kovac, however, it is clear that the uproar was mainly caused by outside reporting. “I don’t think Schlotti created the headlines, but rather those who published it and put something out into the world that wasn’t entirely accurate,” the Dortmund coach said at the press conference ahead of the match against VfB Stuttgart. Schlotterbeck, he said, had merely exercised his right to correct false portrayals.

BVB coach Kovac backs Schlotterbeck

Kovac was more critical, however, of one specific passage in his player’s comments. He described the mention of former sporting director Sebastian Kehl by name as “a little unfortunate.” At the same time, he played down possible interpretations: “What matters first and foremost is that you’re talking with BVB.” In the end, he said, the key point is that the talks are being held with the club, regardless of the individuals involved.

Photo: IMAGO

Despite the current unrest, the coach remains optimistic. “I’m very positive myself, and I’ll stay that way. He’s a really good player. A player we need and one we all love,” said Kovac, underlining the center-back’s importance to the club’s future.

A final decision on Schlotterbeck’s contract has not yet been made, but at BVB they are staying calm – and still hoping for an extension beyond 2027.

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