​Stuttgart, Germany – September 19: head coach Niko Kovac of Borussia Dortmund gestures during the Bundesliga 2026/27 match between VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Dortmund at MHPArena on September 19, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images) | DeFodi Images via Getty Images In the midst of an utterly eternal international break, we finally have some good and some bad news. I had completely forgotten about the entire sport of soccer/football when I saw this news this morning: This is the exact moment Schlotterbeck hurt his ankle during a ‘fun competitive drill’ in the warm-up before the final training session in Herzogenaurach. The players had to dribble around slalom poles in four different groups. Schlotterbeck lost control of the ball and veered… https://t.co/dnzU3Oa4kppic.twitter.com/YrZxH5Ny86— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) September 30, 2026In case you’re not aware, that is not how ankles are supposed to bend. According to Ruhr Nachrichten, Schlotterbeck has already left the national team, and will miss the remainder of Germany’s matches this window. He is also a question mark for Dortmund’s return game against Werder Bremen on October 9th. Niko Kovac to Extend to 2029Now in some good news—or if you live in a certain bizarre corner of BVB Twitter, the single worst thing to happen in the history of the world—Borussia Dortmund are closing in on a contract extension with head coach Niko Kovac. According to Bild, the club has effectively reached an agreement with Kovac to extend him until 2029. All that is required is for him to sign, which will probably be done tomorrow. While Kovac is not without his flaws, it’s hard to argue with his results so far. He righted the ship after Nuri Sahin’s departure and led BVB to a very strong finish in the league last year, despite what I considered a mediocre squad. Dortmund have a perfect record so far under his leadership this season, led by a very strong defensive record. Your ThoughtsAre you happy with Niko Kovac’s extension? Let me know what you think!