BVB could cut ties with Niko Kovač if he fails to qualify for Europe | OneFootball

Niko Kovač has joined Borussia Dortmund in the winter transfer market with the mission to salvage what was left from a disastrous season at that point on. With the team massively underperforming domestically under former manager Nuri Sahin, the Black-and-Yellows found themselves too far apart from the top spots in the Bundesliga, which guarantees international football for next season.

Kovač came in as an emergency option to try to help BVB find good form in the Bundesliga and fight for those European qualification spots. The board even attempted to sign the Croatian manager on a six-month short-term deal until the end of the season, but the former Bayern and Wolfsburg coach insisted on a more extended contract, which ended up being until 2026.

However, as reported by Sky Sports journalist Patrick Berger, Borussia Dortmund could break free of Kovač's contract if certain goals aren't met. More specifically, if Niko Kovač fails to qualify for any European competitions this season, BVB could pay a pre-established severance package, which would cost the club around three million euros for the dismissal of Kovač and his assistant coach.

In other words, Kovač would be entitled to a severance payment of 50 percent of his basic salary if he is dismissed in the summer in the event of missing European qualification. His salary aligns between three to four million euros and, therefore, more than his predecessor at the club, Nuri Sahin.

Now, it has become more evident why Borussia Dortmund and Niko Kovač agreed to a one-year-and-a-half deal if the intentions from both sides indicated otherwise. Indeed, they eventually met in the middle. Still, this severance payment clause showcased that BVB was looking more for a shorter-term solution, and this condition became kind of a 'safeguard' if things went South with Kovač.