Bundesliga Daily Report - 2026-10-13: Dortmund extend Niko Kovac’s contract through 2029

Borussia Dortmund extended Niko Kovac’s contract through June 2029 on Tuesday. The Bundesliga club rewarded the Croatian coach after he transformed a side that had been 11th when he took charge in early 2025, guiding Dortmund to Champions League qualification and then second place last season. Dortmund also extended the contracts of assistant coaches Robert Kovac and Filip Tapalovic. The decision came with the team second in the Bundesliga on goal difference after five matchdays, according to Reuters, and before Wednesday’s Champions League trip to Bodø/Glimt.

Managing director of sport Lars Ricken described the agreement as a sign of continuity and stability, while Kovac said the club had laid important foundations and wanted to keep improving. Dortmund have won four of their first five Bundesliga matches this season, giving the extension a strong sporting context rather than making it solely a reward for past progress. The longer contract gives Kovac a clear mandate to continue developing the team while competing domestically and in Europe, with his coaching staff retained alongside him.

Bayern Munich drew 3-3 at Viking on Tuesday after the Norwegian champions recovered from a two-goal deficit. Viking led 2-0 at half-time through Gianni Stensness and Peter Christiansen, before Harry Kane scored twice and created another goal to put Bayern 3-2 ahead. Michael Olise was then sent off after receiving two yellow cards within a minute, allowing Herman Haugen to equalise in the final minute. The result extended Bayern’s difficult restart after the international break, following Saturday’s 2-2 Bundesliga draw at Augsburg, and left the German champions with defensive concerns in both matches.

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said the team’s energy and attacking speed had been good, but the chances conceded were not acceptable and a reaction was required on the pitch. Kane’s scoring run reached nine consecutive Champions League matches, matching Robert Lewandowski’s club record and moving him two behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s competition record. Olise’s dismissal also carried an immediate consequence: he was set to miss next week’s meeting with Arsenal in Munich. Bayern’s failure to protect a lead against a debutant opponent made the draw more damaging than an ordinary away point.

Manuel Neuer’s performance in Bayern Munich’s 2-2 draw at Augsburg on Saturday prompted former coach Mirko Slomka to question the goalkeeper’s future. Neuer was criticised for his involvement in both Augsburg goals, including a serious error for the opener, according to Goal.com. Slomka, who gave Neuer his Bundesliga debut at Schalke in 2006, publicly asked whether the 40-year-old had reached the end of his career. The comments added a new layer to the scrutiny surrounding Bayern after they conceded twice at Augsburg and then allowed Viking to score three times in the Champions League.

Slomka also argued that Neuer should be treated with the same honesty that accompanied his rise to prominence, asking who would be strong enough to tell a celebrated winner when it was time to stop. The debate is significant because Bayern have already faced questions about their defensive reliability during a two-match run in which they conceded five goals. Neuer’s experience remains central to the discussion, but the Augsburg errors ensured that goalkeeping became part of the wider pressure on Kompany’s side rather than an isolated criticism.

RB Leipzig coach Martin Demichelis confirmed that Johan Bakayoko was omitted from the squad for three consecutive Bundesliga matches as a disciplinary measure. The Belgian winger missed Leipzig’s two fixtures before the international break and their first match after it, while his difficult start at the club had already included injuries, dips in form and almost a year without a goal contribution, according to Goal.com. Bakayoko joined Leipzig from PSV Eindhoven for €18 million and had scored three competitive goals by October in his debut season before his progress stalled.

Demichelis said Bakayoko had made a small mistake, that the matter had been discussed and that the player trained normally on Sunday. He declined to disclose the details, saying the issue was settled. Goal.com reported that Bild had linked the absence to repeated lateness for mandatory appointments, although Leipzig continued to trust Bakayoko’s footballing ability. The episode puts greater emphasis on the 23-year-old’s response when selected again, as Leipzig seek a contribution from a player whose signing was strongly backed by Jürgen Klopp in his former global football role.

VfB Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness said on Tuesday that his side did not consider themselves favourites before Wednesday’s Champions League visit to Slovan Bratislava. Hoeness described the Slovakian champions as a team that played good football and had a clear plan, while recalling the atmosphere Stuttgart experienced there two years ago. Stuttgart began this season’s league phase with a 3-1 victory over Viking Stavanger, whereas Slovan lost 6-1 to Barcelona in their opening match. Defender Jeff Chabot was declared fit after being substituted during the weekend Bundesliga win at Paderborn.

Hoeness also played down concerns about the pitch, saying teams always wanted ideal conditions but should not focus on them excessively. Stuttgart’s previous 3-1 win in Bratislava provides useful precedent, although the coach’s comments showed respect for an opponent with a strong domestic record and a demanding home environment. Chabot’s availability gives Stuttgart added defensive continuity as they try to build on their opening European victory and maintain momentum from their league campaign.