Niko Kovač (born October 15, 1971) is a Croatian football manager and former professional player. As a defensive midfielder, he had a distinguished playing career in the Bundesliga, representing Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, and Hertha BSC, among other clubs. He also captained the Croatia national team and led them in two FIFA World Cups (2006) and UEFA Euro 2008.
After retiring as a player, Kovač transitioned into coaching, managing Croatia’s national team (2013-2015), Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich, Monaco, and VfL Wolfsburg. In January 2025, he was appointed as the head coach of Borussia Dortmund, taking charge of the club during a difficult Bundesliga season.
In this article, we will explore Niko Kovač’s age, height, weight, career, net worth, early life, family, relationships, physical appearance, and lesser-known facts.
Niko Kovač Short Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Niko Kovač |
| Stage Name | N/A |
| Profession | Football Manager, Former Professional Footballer |
| Hometown | Berlin, Germany |
| Nationality | Croatian, German |
| Date of Birth | October 15, 1971 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 53 years |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | Not Available |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black (with graying) |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
Early Life and Playing Career
Early Years and Education
Niko Kovač was born in West Berlin, Germany, to Croatian parents from Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina. His parents, Mato and Ivka, were immigrants who had moved to Germany under the Gastarbeiter (guest worker) program. Growing up in Berlin, Kovač played for Rapide Wedding and Hertha Zehlendorf, where he developed a strong footballing foundation.
Apart from football, Kovač also practiced judo and earned a blue belt. He was an academically inclined student and enrolled at the Free University of Berlin to study business, but left before completing his degree when he signed a professional contract.
Professional Club Career (1990-2009)
Kovač began his professional career with Hertha BSC in 1991 and quickly became a key player in the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga.
Clubs and Performance
- Hertha BSC (1991-1996): Kovač played 138 games, scoring 15 goals.
- Bayer Leverkusen (1996-1999): He moved to Leverkusen, where he played 77 matches and scored 8 goals.
- Hamburger SV (1999-2001): His next stop was HSV, where he netted 12 goals in 55 matches.
- Bayern Munich (2001-2003): He joined Bayern, winning the Bundesliga (2002-03), DFB-Pokal, and Intercontinental Cup (2001).
- Hertha BSC (2003-2006): Returned for a second stint at Hertha.
- Red Bull Salzburg (2006-2009): Ended his playing career in Austria, winning the Austrian Bundesliga in 2006-07.
International Career with Croatia (1996-2008)
Kovač debuted for Croatia in 1996 and captained the national team in major tournaments.
- Played 83 international matches and scored 14 goals.
- Featured in Euro 2004, World Cup 2006, and Euro 2008.
- Retired from international football in January 2009.
Coaching Career (2009-Present)
After retiring, Kovač moved into coaching. His career path included national teams and top European clubs:
Early Coaching Roles (2009-2013)
- Red Bull Salzburg (2009-2011): Started as reserve team coach before being promoted to assistant coach.
- Croatia U21 (2013-2014): Became the U21 head coach.
Croatia National Team (2013-2015)
- Took charge in October 2013 after Igor Štimac was sacked.
- Led Croatia to the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
- Fired in September 2015 after struggles in Euro 2016 qualification.
Eintracht Frankfurt (2016-2018)
- Appointed March 2016, saved the club from relegation.
- Led Frankfurt to the 2018 DFB-Pokal title, beating Bayern Munich in the final.
Bayern Munich (2018-2019)
- Won the 2018-19 Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal to complete a domestic double.
- However, inconsistent results led to his dismissal in November 2019.
AS Monaco (2020-2022)
- Appointed July 2020, helped Monaco finish 3rd in Ligue 1.
- Reached the 2021 Coupe de France final.
- Sacked in January 2022.
VfL Wolfsburg (2022-2024)
- Managed Wolfsburg for two seasons.
- Fired in March 2024 after inconsistent performances.
Borussia Dortmund (2025-Present)
- Appointed as head coach of Borussia Dortmund in January 2025.
- Tasked with revitalizing the squad after a poor Bundesliga start.
Family and Relationships
Niko Kovač is married to his childhood sweetheart and has a daughter named Laura.
Family Summary Table
| Family Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Mato Kovač | Father |
| Ivka Kovač | Mother |
| Robert Kovač | Younger Brother (also a footballer and coach) |
| Nikolina Kovač | Sister |
| Wife | Married since 1999 |
| Laura Kovač | Daughter |
Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | Not Available |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Hair Color | Black (graying) |
| Tattoos | None |
| Piercings | None |
| Distinguishing Features | Athletic physique, short hair |
Net Worth and Income Sources
Niko Kovač has earned significant wealth as a footballer and coach.
Estimated Net Worth (as of 2025)
| Net Worth | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Net Worth | $15 million – $20 million |
| Primary Income Sources | Football Management, Former Player Salaries |
| Additional Income Streams | Endorsements, Bonuses |
Lesser-Known Facts About Niko Kovač
- Speaks German, Croatian, and English fluently.
- Earned a business degree before becoming a full-time footballer.
- Holds dual citizenship (Croatian and German).
- Practiced judo in his youth and holds a blue belt.
- Won titles as both a player and coach with Bayern Munich.
- His brother Robert Kovač was also a professional footballer.
- Was a strong advocate for player discipline.
- Once appeared in a Croatian political campaign ad in 2007.
- Managed Eintracht Frankfurt to a major cup victory.
- Appointed Borussia Dortmund manager in 2025.
FAQs
Q: What is Niko Kovač’s current role?
A: He is the head coach of Borussia Dortmund (2025-Present).
Q: What teams did Kovač play for?
A: He played for Bayern Munich, Hertha BSC, Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburger SV, and Red Bull Salzburg.
Q: What trophies has he won as a coach?
A: DFB-Pokal (2018), Bundesliga (2019), DFL-Supercup (2018).
Conclusion
Niko Kovač has had a remarkable football career as both a player and coach. His appointment at Borussia Dortmund in 2025 marks a new chapter in his managerial journey. With experience at top clubs, he is expected to rebuild Dortmund into a title contender.
NOTE: This article is based on publicly available information and is intended for informational purposes only.
