As BVB look forward to the start of their pre-season schedule and the upcoming season, what would constitute a successful season for Niko Kovac and Borussia Dortmund, and what should the aims be going into the 2026/27 season?
Do Borussia Dortmund Need To Win A Trophy In Order For Next Season To Be Seen As A Successful One?
Bundesliga - Title Challenge?
First and foremost, for any Borussia Dortmund manager, is being successful domestically, which means challenging longtime rivals Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title. Now in recent years, Dortmund have struggled to sustain any form of title challenge or has faltered in the final few weeks of the season. The last time that the club managed to truly take the challenge to Bayern Munich was in the 2022/23 season, when BVB missed out on the league title due to goal difference. Then the following season, when Bayern Munich had an off year, Dortmund weren't there to pick up the pieces, and instead finished 5th, while Bayer Leverkusen picked up the title. Since then, the club have finished 4th and most recently 2nd place in the league, but still the top spot alludes them.
The aims this season should be to close that gap to Bayern Munich, as last season Dortmund finished a significant 16 points behind their rivals. Additionally, Dortmund need to look to take a title race into the final weeks again, ensuring that Bayern aren't able to wrap the title up by April/May time and start resting players to enhance their Champions League hopes.
Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesChampions League - Fight With The Elite
However, speaking of the Champions League, this is also a competition that Dortmund need to improve in. Last campaign, Dortmund failed to make it into the round of 16 despite the new format, and lost to Atalanta 4-3 on aggregate, despite going into the 2nd leg of their playoff game against them 2-0 up. So next season, the aims should be getting to the Round of 16 at the bare minimum in my opinion, and if/when they are knocked out of the tournament, the opposition, regardless of their quality, had to work hard and know that playing Dortmund wasn't an easy game, and Dortmund should be able to challenge Europe's elite clubs and push them all the way.
DFB Pokal - Best Chance Of Silverware?
And perhaps one of the most straightforward ways for Dortmund to win a trophy this season is via the DFB Pokal. This is because there are far fewer games to win it, unlike the Bundesliga, and it is a series of one-off games, unlike the two-legged ties in the Champions League. So this competition, in theory, should present Dortmund with their best chance at winning silverware next season, as they should be fully capable of going toe to toe with any team in Germany, especially in a one-off game.
Do Dortmund Need To Win Something In Order For A Season To Be Deemed A Success?
For football fans, this will be a topic that divides opinion. Some will argue that trophies are the key and number one way that you can identify whether or not a club has had a successful season. On the other hand, some may argue that there are other factors determining how successful a team may be.
For example, a style of play that fans can try and get behind, one that isn't boring and lifeless, but instead one that gets fans off their seats, truly believing that every time they get the ball, they can create something, can score a goal, can do something unexpected or out of the ordinary. Because at the end of the day, football is meant to be a source of entertainment, and winning trophies may be part of that, but so too should the way in which a team plays to get there.
Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesAuthor's Verdict
In summary, I believe that a successful season for Dortmund would be clear signs of progression on all fronts. Ranging from player development, style of play, and competitiveness when challenging for major honours, these should be the areas that we look back on at the end of the season and decide whether or not Dortmund have had a successful season.
