Bayern were his speciality: will this Dortmund star boss it again?

Rebić takes advantage of an early defensive blunder by Bayern, counters Lewandowski's halftime equalizer with his second goal to regain the lead – in injury time, Gaćinović seals the deal with a 3:1, and Frankfurt crowns itself as the winner of the DFB-Pokal 30 years after their last cup victory. Half of Berlin cheers, and one person can't contain his joy: Niko Kovač.

We can all remember how he, with his Frankfurt underdogs, spoiled Bayern's double – and also marked the end of Jupp Heynckes' career. This cup success, for many at the time "the sensation of the season," was above all the glorious happy ending of the love story between Kovač and Eintracht.

The Croatian had taken over the team from the Main during a dire relegation threat, created a remarkable collective without major stars, led them back to more stable standings in the table, and ultimately secured the first major title in ages.

At the peak of his career so far, Kovač left the Main metropolis aiming for greater heights.

📸 Alexander Hassenstein - 2018 Getty Images

Who flies high, ...

Perhaps he wanted too much back then. What is clear: His time at Bayern Munich began with a championship and cup victory, but ended quickly – and above all, lovelessly.

In his nearly one and a half years at the German record champion, he not only clashed with his defensive, non-Bayern-like style of play, but also seemed not to have practiced dealing with top stars too extensively during the summer break back then.

There were constant rumors that he didn't get along with Hummels, Lewandowski, and others – he also benched fan favorite Thomas Müller and really got into trouble with the fans when he publicly discredited him with the phrase "If there's an emergency, he'll get his minutes." Treating Müller like that? The Munich fans didn't find it funny at all.

Overall, he didn't hold back on criticism of the squad and his players when the Croatian compared his team to Liverpool and said: "You can't try to drive 200 km/h on the highway if you can only manage 100. You have to adapt to what you have. We have different types of players. We need to find a good mix." That doesn't quite sound like a coach who believes in his players.

Yet he had just shown in Frankfurt that he was indeed capable of getting more horsepower out of a vehicle than one might expect at first glance.

However, he no longer demonstrated this ability in Munich. After a bitter 1:5 defeat against – of course – Frankfurt, Kovač was dismissed from his position.

📸 Alexander Hassenstein - 2019 Getty Images

Has the giant-slayer lost his touch?

Did Niko Kovač lose his reputation as the notorious giant-slayer during his time at Bayern? Even in Monaco and finally back in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg, he failed to rediscover the magic surrounding his persona.

That could undoubtedly change in Dortmund. Upon his appointment as BVB coach after Sahin's dismissal, he was initially met with skepticism due to his rather lackluster and unsuccessful recent past, but he has since coached his way into the hearts of BVB fans.

Not without reason: Last year, he achieved the long-dismissed qualification for the Champions League. With 13 wins out of 20 games, he is currently the most successful BVB coach ever with 2.1 points per Bundesliga game. The start of the current season is the most successful in Dortmund in five years. Additionally, reports suggest he has personally developed further: more tactical flexibility, more approachability – and he no longer clashes with stars.

Is Kovač "the One" for BVB?

To finally set himself apart from his predecessors, he needs a victory in today's top match against Bayern. Then he would be the first BVB coach in a long time to not only stand for consistent success but also to be able to take on the big names in individual games.

Kovač has only sat on the bench for one German Klassiker so far (2:2 last season) and now has the chance to close his personal circle of redemption. After the cup triumph, he could once again trouble Bayern and show that the boss gene from Frankfurt hasn't vanished into thin air, but only took a temporary leave – and is now back.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 SASCHA SCHUERMANN - AFP or licensors