INTERVIEW: Owomoyela hails disciplinarian Kovač, debates how Dortmund can retain talents

MÜNCHEN (Bulinews) Former Borussia Dortmund defender Patrick Owomoyela is of the opinion that Niko Kovač has brought stability to the club since he was appointed as head coach just under two years ago. 

“Everybody knows Niko [Kovač] as a player, he has a high demand in discipline and in defensive structure first. That was him as a player and that’s where his focus lies as a coach as well,” he informed Bulinews.com.

“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.

“This is what we have seen in the two years with Dortmund, now that he has stabilised the defence and added a few [new] players […] it’s still a project but he managed to create that solid foundation.

“On top of that now, it’s about finding the right additions that are creative and do the right stuff with the ball. That’s not easy, especially when you’re not able to spend big money so he has to be creative.

“That’s why they get a guy like [Kostas] Karetsas who wasn’t cheap, but BVB had to step back from other signings that were too expensive. This is what he was brought in to do and that’s why he got a new contract,” he said.

Time and again, one of Dortmund’s biggest tailbacks is having to sell and replenish talent in a short space of time. Owomoyela knows this, but senses the trick to keeping them at BVB longer is by offering a sense of belief.

“It’s difficult. You have to be successful and give these talents a promising future. Something they can see happening for them at the club. Of course, everybody wants to be successful, play Champions League and with their national teams.

“At some point, they want to play for the biggest club whatever that is for those players. But to keep them at Borussia Dortmund, you have to show them something is possible here and so far, this season shows it is.

“[Joane] Gadou is someone already that has played a lot, Karetsas has played a lot and is back [from injury]. These are young players; the season is looking good and maybe they believe something is possible and stick with Dortmund,” the 46-year-old explained.