by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, May 18 (Xinhua) -- On Saturday evening, the city of Dortmund transformed into a party zone, leaving no doubt as to who deserved the praise.
For what felt like an eternity, the Black and Yellow fans chanted their coach's name, Niko Kovac. The 53-year-old, however, seemed reluctant to join in the chorus of unbounded joy.
Fans danced in the stands, pubs stayed packed into the early morning hours, and club leaders beamed with pride and relief.
"We ended up fourth, which to me doesn't feel like partying," the former Croatian said.
The ex-Frankfurt and Bayern coach, who stepped in as a crisis manager during difficult times in February, led his team from 11th place to a UEFA Champions League berth in the Bundesliga.
Only Bayer Leverkusen had completed a similarly dramatic turnaround in recent history, during the 2018-19 season.
CEO Lars Ricken described the achievement as "one of the biggest coaching achievements in Borussia Dortmund's history."
Flattered or not, Kovac was being spoken of in the same breath as former club legends such as Ottmar Hitzfeld, who won the 1997 Champions League, and Jurgen Klopp, who delivered domestic titles and cup success.
"So, we leave for what it is; we made it on the last matchday," Kovac said, adding that the club must now focus on "not to let this happen again."
Having narrowly avoided a sporting disaster, Dortmund will benefit from Champions League revenue as well as income from the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
With 22 of their final 24 points coming in the last eight matches, Kovac simplified the team's approach and returned to the fundamentals of football.
Unburdened by the ghosts of 2023 when Dortmund squandered the league title in a 2-2 draw with Mainz, Kovac reignited the team's passion and fighting spirit.
There were moments of tension against relegated Kiel, as old fears of failure occasionally resurfaced, but the team ultimately showed its quality.
"He made the players feel their responsibility," said sporting director Sebastian Kehl of the coach, who was not universally applauded upon arrival.
"He gave us a kick in the bud," added striker Karim Adeyemi about the club's third coach of the season.
With the Club World Cup on the horizon, work begins immediately to rebuild a struggling squad and restart the title hunt, reflecting the club's ambition to reassert itself as Germany's second footballing power.
Despite fundamental changes and a renewed focus on basics, Kovac held onto a quirky ritual.
"My daughter recommended that I always wear the same blue pullover," the 2018 German Cup winner said, his eyes twinkling.
Following his daughter's advice appears to have paid off. The once-dismissed side avoided collapse and ended a turbulent season with happiness. ■
