Niko Kovac pledged to bring "determination, heart and willingness" to Borussia Dortmund after being formally announced as their new head coach on Thursday.

Dortmund sacked former midfielder Nuri Sahin – who only took over from Edin Terzic last year – last week, having started 2025 with four straight defeats in all competitions.

Mike Tullberg took over as interim coach for their last two games, a 2-2 Bundesliga draw with Werder Bremen and a 3-1 Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk. 

Speaking to broadcaster DAZN after that latter match, managing director Lars Ricken confirmed former Bayern Munich boss Kovac would take over this Sunday.

Dortmund have now confirmed Kovac, who won a league and cup double with Bayern in 2018-19, has signed a contract to run until June 2026.

"We've held intensive talks with Niko Kovac over the past few days and have consciously taken the time to get to know each other and our expectations," Ricken said.

"Niko's teams have been characterised by energy, determination and a sense of the importance of team spirit. We want to feel and see all of this both on and off the pitch.

"We find ourselves in a challenging situation and are certain that in Niko we have found a coach who is capable of overcoming it."

Kovac has also managed Eintracht Frankfurt and Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, while the Berlin native also had a stint with Ligue 1 side Monaco.

He will be joined by his brother and former Dortmund player Robert Kovac, as well as Filip Tapalovic, as assistant coaches.

Kovac will be tasked with improving Dortmund's league position after they fell to 11th in the table, six points adrift of the top four.

The club qualified for the Champions League play-offs on Wednesday after finishing 10th in the 36-team table. They will face either Sporting CP or Club Brugge next month.

"The most important thing for all of us now is to have absolute determination, a big heart and the willingness to work hard to represent Borussia Dortmund in the best possible way in the Bundesliga, the Champions League and at the Club World Cup in the summer," Kovac said.

"We are taking on this challenge with determination and focus." 

Tullberg will still be in charge for Saturday's Bundesliga meeting with Heidenheim, who are 16th in the table. Kovac's first game will be against Stuttgart one week later.