Roger Schmidt nixes Dortmund move; Niko Kovac now in the spotlight

Following the recent sacking of Nuri Sahin, the 57-year-old Schmidt declared his current disinterest in taking up any new coaching role.

"News has to be transported every day. When a team has problems, they look at what coaches are available. There's nothing you can do about that," Schmidt told the Spielmacher podcast.

He further emphasized his stance, stating, "But I've made a very clear decision that I'm not going to do anything now," and added that he would "under no circumstances take charge of a new club" this season.

As Dortmund scramble to find a permanent replacement, it's clear that the club are looking beyond their current staff.

Lars Ricken, Borussia Dortmund's managing director for sport, has hinted at external candidates. "I am a big fan of promoting someone from our own ranks if they do well. But I think that in our current situation we need external input," Ricken said, according to Kicker.

He confirmed that the club have "one or two candidates" in mind, though he refrained from revealing names out of respect for Sahin.

In the interim, U19 coach Mike Tullberg will lead the team against Werder Bremen on Saturday. However, even if Tullberg excels, Ricken's comments suggest that the role of head coach will not be his long-term.

The spotlight now turns to Niko Kovac, who has emerged as the leading candidate to take over from Sahin. Reports from Bild indicate that Kovac, previously at the helm of Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg, is in talks with Dortmund for a short-term appointment until the season's end, with potential for a longer commitment based on performance.

Kovac, sacked by Wolfsburg in March 2024, brings a wealth of experience, having managed Monaco, Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, and the Croatian national team. His readiness to step into the Dortmund hot seat remains uncertain, but the club's interest in him is clear.

As the situation develops, posts on X suggest that Dortmund are considering several high-profile names, with Kovac and potentially Schmidt (despite his denials) being discussed in the football community. However, nothing has been finalized, leaving fans and observers eager for official news.

Dortmund's next moves will be crucial as they aim to stabilize their season and push for a strong finish in the Bundesliga, with the coaching carousel in full swing.

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