Niko Kovac addresses Karim Adeyemi criminal controversy: “I’m not his father.” | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac spoke on the controversy surrounding Karim Adeyemi at a Thursday pre-match press conference. Kovac essentially emphasized that he considered recent revelations that the 23-year-old had been convicted on illegal weapons charges to be a non-issue heading into this weekend’s Bundesliga fixture against Stuttgart. 

“I’ve always had a very good relationship with Karim,” Kovac said. “We get together often and  talk frequently. We also spoke after the news broke and worked a bit on the issue together. I think that [BVB sporting director] Lars [Ricken] and all those associated with the German national team have said all that needs to be said.

“I’m not his father,” Kovac continued. “I’m just his coach. We’re focused on the Bundesliga now. He’ll receive all the support he needs from us. We have common goals. I think everyone in this room hasn’t done everything right in life. Life goes on. He’s done everything he needs to do.”

GGFN | Peter Weis