Biography
Niko Kovač is a Croatian football manager and former international midfielder, born on October 15, 1971, in West Berlin. Although he was born and raised in West Germany, Kovač decided to play for Croatia internationally, becoming the long-time captain of the national team until he retired from international play in January 2009. As a defensive midfielder, he was known for his excellent passing and tackling skills, making him one of Croatia's most reliable players during his international career.
Kovač's club career mostly took place in the German Bundesliga, where he played for well-known teams such as Hertha BSC, Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburger SV, and Bayern Munich. He showed strong leadership throughout his playing days, captaining Croatia in major tournaments like the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008. When he retired from international football, he was the oldest player on the Croatian team, having represented his country proudly at the 1998 World Cup and other major events. He ended his playing career with the Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg.
Moving into coaching, Kovač started at Red Bull Salzburg, first as the reserve team coach and then as an assistant manager under Ricardo Moniz. He quickly advanced through the coaching ranks. In January 2013, he took over Croatia's under-21 team, and by October 2013, he was managing the senior national team after Igor Štimac was dismissed. Under his leadership, Croatia played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, marking his debut as a manager on the world stage.
Kovač's club management career includes key roles in Europe's top leagues. He joined Eintracht Frankfurt in 2016 and won the 2018 DFB-Pokal Final. This success led to his role at Bayern Munich, where he captured the domestic double in 2019 after a strong season finish. However, his time at Bayern ended in fall 2019. He then managed AS Monaco from summer 2020 until January 1, 2022, before returning to Germany to manage VfL Wolfsburg from 2022 to 2024. In January 2025, he became the manager at Borussia Dortmund, continuing his career in the Bundesliga.
Before Fame
Born to Croatian parents in West Berlin during the Cold War, Kovač grew up in a divided city that had a big impact on his early experiences. The family's Croatian heritage stayed strong despite living in West Germany, which influenced his decision to play for Croatia internationally instead of Germany. The political atmosphere of his youth, including Germany's reunification and Croatia's independence in the early 1990s, set the scene for his early years.
Kovač's journey to football success started in the German youth system, where he honed his skills as a midfielder. His talent and leadership were clear from the start, shaping both his playing and coaching style. His career lined up with Croatia's growth as a new nation and their quick climb in international football, making him a key player in developing the sport in Croatia.
Key Achievements
- Captained Croatia at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008
- Won the 2018 DFB-Pokal as manager of Eintracht Frankfurt
- Secured the domestic double with Bayern Munich in 2019
- Managed Croatia at the 2014 FIFA World Cup
- Long-standing captain of Croatia national team until 2009
Did You Know?
- 01.He was the oldest player in Croatia's squad at the time of his international retirement in January 2009
- 02.Kovač chose to represent Croatia despite being born and raised in West Germany
- 03.He won the DFB-Pokal with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2018, defeating Bayern Munich 3-1 in the final
- 04.His managerial career began at Red Bull Salzburg, the same club where he ended his playing career
- 05.He was dismissed from AS Monaco on New Year's Day 2022