INTERVIEW: Owomoyela hails disciplinarian Kovač, debates how Dortmund can retain talents

Former Borussia Dortmund defender Patrick Owomoyela believes Niko Kovač has brought stability to the club since his appointment as head coach less than two years ago. "Everyone knows Niko [Kovač] as a player; he has a high demand for discipline and defensive structure," he informed Bulinews.com. "As a coach, his focus remains on that, which critics say he struggles to develop play with the ball. I disagree; his priority was to establish Dortmund's stability first and provide the right placement."

Over the past two years, Kovač has stabilized Dortmund's defense and signed a few new players, creating a solid foundation. "Now, we need to find the right additions that are creative and can play with the ball," Owomoyela said. This is challenging, especially with limited financial resources, so the club has had to be creative in its signings.

One recent example is the signing of Kostas Karetsas, who wasn't cheap but was necessary to avoid overspending on other players. Owomoyela explained that Kovač's new contract reflects the club's confidence in his ability to find the right players. A persistent challenge for Dortmund is the need to constantly replenish talent, as selling players often becomes necessary.

However, Owomoyela believes that offering young talents a sense of belief and a promising future at the club is key to retaining them. "Dortmund is looking good this season, with players like Joane Gadou and Karetsas returning from injury," he added. "If they believe something is possible here, they may stay at Borussia Dortmund."