(Credit: Imago)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Mon 2 March 2026 20:00, UK

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Borussia Dortmund are adamant that they don’t want to lose manager Niko Kovac as Tottenham step up their interest, sources have told Football Insider.

The Croatian is one of several candidates from across Europe that the Lilywhites are currently doing their due diligence on, but Dortmund are prepared to do “everything they can” to keep hold of him.

Tottenham have got the 54-year-old in their sights as one of a number of options who could be appointed as their next permanent boss, but sources say that Mauricio Pochettino remains the number one option at the moment.

Kovac is under pressure from the Dortmund fans after their recent Champions League exit, and has never hidden his desire to work in the Premier League, but the German giants are willing to do everything in their power to prevent an exit.

• Read More: Man United make contact for Niko Kovac appointment amid ‘financial drama’

Tottenham in contact for Niko Kovac amid contract latest

According to recent reports in Germany, Tottenham have already made contact over a move for Kovac, as they step up their interest ahead of their next appointment in the summer.

Dortmund’s exit from the Champions League at the hands of Atalanta has prompted a “financial drama” at the club, according to Bild, with an immediate loss of £9.6million expected as a result.

Nevertheless, the club hierarchy are still said to have “great trust” in the boss, and have no desire to lose him, despite the pressure that has arisen from the fanbase of late.

Kovac is set to enter the final year of his contract at the Westfalenstadion at the end of the season, and is believed to be open to the idea of a move to the Premier League.

However, if Tottenham were to decide that Kovac was the man they want in the dugout for next season, then they would have to find a way of convincing the Dortmund board to engage with them.

• Read More: Tottenham next manager: Andoni Iraola update emerges after new twist

Latest chances of Spurs appointing Andoni Iraola

Football Insider revealed last weekend that it now looks increasingly unlikely that Spurs will be able to appoint Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola this summer.

The Spaniard is not among the frontrunners to take the reins in North London at the moment, and there is also expected to be a whole host of other interest in his services from both the Premier League and beyond.

However, there is also a growing feeling behind the scenes at the Vitality Stadium that Iraola may decide to extend his contract and continue the impressive project that he has started on the South Coast.

It had been expected that he would depart as a free agent at the end of the season, but there is now a chance that the Cherries are ultimately able to resist the interest from elsewhere.