Former Borussia Dortmund defender Patrick Owomoyela has publicly defended head coach Niko Kovač, asserting that the Croatian manager’s strict emphasis on discipline and defensive structure has been the catalyst for the club’s recent stability. Speaking to Bulinews, Owomoyela noted that Kovač’s coaching philosophy mirrors his playing days, prioritizing tactical placement and defensive solidity above all else. “Everybody knows Niko as a player, he has a high demand in discipline and in defensive structure first,” Owomoyela stated, highlighting that this rigid approach was essential to correcting the team’s previous inconsistencies.
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Addressing widespread criticism that Kovač lacks the ability to develop attractive possession-based football, Owomoyela dismissed the narrative, arguing that the primary objective was to establish a solid foundation before refining the attack. “There have been a lot of critics suggesting that he is not able to develop good play with the ball. I don’t think so. It was just about changing Dortmund’s stability first and giving them the right placement,” he explained. According to the former defender, the two-year tenure has successfully transformed the backline, allowing the club to now focus on integrating creative players who can exploit the space created by a secure defense.
The former BVB star also offered insight into the club’s transfer strategy, noting that financial constraints force Kovač to be inventive in his recruitment. Owomoyela pointed to the signing of Kostas Karetsas as a prime example of this pragmatic approach, acknowledging that while the fee was significant, Dortmund had to forgo other, more expensive targets to maintain fiscal responsibility. “It’s still a project but he managed to create that solid foundation,” Owomoyela concluded, emphasizing that the next phase involves finding the right creative additions without breaking the bank, a challenge that requires both managerial creativity and strategic patience.
Source: Yahoo Sports
