Borussia Dortmund are on the verge of appointing former Bayern Munich and Monaco manager Niko Kovac, according to reports.
The German giants, who sacked Nuri Sahin after just seven months in charge earlier this month, have been on the hunt for a successor and appear to have found their man in Kovac, who has coached Croatia, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich, Monaco and Wolfsburg during his managerial career so far.
Kovac’s imminent appointment comes as a blow for those hoping to see former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag return to the dugout, given he was heavily linked with the job just months after being sacked by the Red Devils.
Mail Sport reported last week that, despite holding talks with the German club, Ten Hag was not in contention for the role because the Dutchman wanted to wait until at least the summer before returning to management.
It is also understood Ten Hag is still being paid by Man United as compensation for his termination.
According to Sky Sports Germany, Kovac has agreed to join Dortmund as manager until 2026.
Borussia Dortmund are on the verge of appointing former Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac
Kovac’s imminent appointment comes as a blow for those hoping to see former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag return to the dugout, given he was heavily linked with the job
Nuri Sahin was axed by Borussia Dortmund earlier this month after a dismal start to the season
Kovac has been out of work since he was sacked by Wolfsburg last March.
The ex-Croatia captain won a domestic treble with Bayern in the 2018-19 season but left within six months.
Sahin was sacked by Dortmund following a dismal start to the season, with the team faltering in the Bundesliga and short of the points required to automatically qualify for the Champions League last-16.
In a club statement confirming Sahin’s exit, Dortmund sporting director Lars Ricken said: ‘We value Nuri Sahin and his work very much, we hoped for a long-term collaboration and until the end we had hoped that we could achieve a sporting turnaround together.
‘After four defeats in a row, due to only one win in the last nine games and currently tenth in the Bundesliga table, we have unfortunately lost faith in being able to achieve our sporting goals in the current constellation. This decision hurts me personally, but it was unavoidable after the game in Bologna.’
Sahin, 36, was also quoted as saying: ‘Unfortunately, we have not managed to live up to Borussia Dortmund’s sporting ambitions this season. I wish this special club all the best.’