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Dortmund's sporting director Sebastian Kehl (L) and Dortmund's managing director Lars Ricken talk ahead of the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen at Signal Iduna Park. Bernd Thissen/dpa
Borussia Dortmund managing director for sport Lars Ricken has said that the club wants to continue with coach Niko Kovac and sporting director Sebastian Kehl beyond what has largely been an underwhelming season.
"This is our clear aim," Ricken told Wednesday's papers of the Funke publishing house, speaking of an "intensive cooperation" with Kehl.
Kehl's contract at the former Bundesliga champions and Champions League winners was renewed until 2027 in January. Kovac replaced Nuri Sahin in February on a deal until 2026.
"When we renewed Sebastian's contract it was important for me that we get the maximum out of the season and head into the future together. I made that very clear at the time. Nothing has changed concerning this goal," Ricken said.
Kehl has come under criticism over the composition of the squad in a season where Dortmund are eighth in the Bundesliga and face missing a top four finish which would guarantee Champions League football.
Kovac has led the team into the Champions League quarter-finals where they were to face Barcelona later Wednesday. In the Bundesliga, he has partly steadied the ship but there has still been inconsistency.
Ricken however praised Kovac's work, saying: "Under Niko's leadership we have the best defensive tackle ratio in the league. We are creating more scoring opportunities, allow much less, and have reduced the amount of goals we concede."
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