Niko Kovač celebrated Borussia Dortmund's 1-0 victory over Stuttgart. The win marked a perfect start to the season and saw his team rise to the top of the Bundesliga.
However, during a post-match television interview, the Croatian coach learned of the death of Peter Hermann, a former colleague and friend. Hermann passed away at the age of 74 following complications related to a neurological condition.
The news was delivered to him by Sebastian Hellmann, Sky Sports' presenter. Kovač was unaware of Hermann's death before appearing on camera. He remained visibly shaken, and his emotions were evident — at one point, tears appeared. Following the delivery of the news, a response was requested from Kovač.
He attempted to answer the question, but it was clear how deeply the news had affected him. The interview took on a completely different and highly emotional tone. The presenter then continued with questions, but it was evident that Kovač found it difficult to speak about the match.
Peter Hermann left a deep impression in German football, particularly as an assistant coach. Throughout his career, he worked with numerous German clubs, including Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, Schalke, and Bayer Leverkusen. He worked with many prominent coaches, and part of his career was spent alongside Kovač, during his time at Bayern.
This moment sparked numerous reactions from viewers on social media. Many viewers were outraged that such news was delivered to Kovač in front of live cameras. The recording of the interview spread across social media, with many criticising the way in which Kovač was informed of the death of his former colleague.
