Lars Ricken seems to comment on Dortmund’s nepotism in midweek presser with new manager Niko Kovač

FanSided World Football

·4. Februar 2025

Lars Ricken seems to comment on Dortmund’s nepotism in midweek presser with new manager Niko Kovač

Today, Niko Kovač had a press conference ahead of his first match in charge of Borussia Dortmund this weekend. He was joined by Sebastian Kehl and Lars Ricken, who each offered input into Borussia Dortmund’s current situation, with Ricken being cryptically outspoken:

"“In our current situation, an external input is extremely necessary, an experienced coach from the outside, because I am deeply convinced that development goes hand in hand with this. I believe that Niko, with all his experience, we have the right man.”"Lars Ricken

Ricken seems to subtly reference the Dortmund hierarchy’s recent tendency to make decision under the shadow of nepotism, while the case of hiring Niko Kovač is a break from that trend. While he compliments the new BVB trainer, Ricken’s comments seem to point to Dortmund’s underlying problems and the need for external solutions, something many BVB fans are likely to agree with. Ricken was honest about what the team needed, and wasn’t shy about what the fans deserve either:

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"“We’re still in eleventh place and still have a lot of teams to catch up with. It’s a mammoth task. But much more important is the way we perform. We’ve seen in recent games that the team is ready and the fans want to see that from us.”"Lars Ricken

Ricken isn’t wrong, and the match against Stuttgart will be huge for Dortmund and Niko Kovač. Dortmund might be in eleventh, but fourth-place is only 4-points away, and VfB Stuttgart occupy fifth place, with just three more points than Dortmund. A win sees the Black and Yellows move level, while a loss will send them six points adrift their rivals in white.