Niko Kovac
April 2026

Niko Kovac has openly admitted Borussia Dortmund do not currently have the kind of game-changing stars that defined previous eras at the club. He named Sancho, Haaland, Dembele and Reus as examples of the missing extra quality, while still backing his current squad and saying they are doing a good job. Speaking at a panel event hosted by Reiner Calmund, Kovac said Dortmund are missing players with “that extra something” but stressed he is happy working with the current group and wants to improve with them. The comments come amid fresh outside speculation over a possible Sancho return, though that part remains transfer talk rather than a confirmed deal