Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac was left distraught after being informed of the death of his close friend and colleague Peter Hermann during a post-match interview on Sky Sports
Borussia Dortmund boss Niko Kovac was left heartbroken after learning of his friend’s death during a live post-match interview on Sky Sports. Kovac had just watched his side defeat Stuttgart before receiving the devastating news, which led him to cancel an interview.
Peter Hermann, who served as Kovac’s assistant at Bayern Munich, passed away following his fight with the neurodegenerative condition amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at the age of 74.
Dortmund secured victory over Stuttgart courtesy of Maximillian Beier’s strike, maintaining their flawless start atop the Bundesliga table. However, Kovac couldn’t savour the satisfaction of another three points as news of Hermann’s death emerged while he was live on air on Saturday.
Host Sebastian Hellmann broke the devastating news during his chat with Kovac, alongside pundits Lothar Matthaus and Julia Simic. Kovac appeared visibly shaken by the revelation and remarked: “It leaves me a little short of breath.
“One or two months ago I was still trying to speak to him, that was no longer possible at all. Unfortunately, his illness was incurable.
“I am deeply saddened, a good person has left us.”
Kovac subsequently pulled out of a scheduled media slot with ZDF’s Aktuelles Sportstudio on Saturday evening.
“We had actually planned to speak with BVB coach Niko Kovac at this point,” presenter Katrin Müller-Hohenstein explained.
“However, he cancelled at short notice because he had just learned of the death of his long-time colleague and assistant coach Peter Hermann.”
Kovac appeared visibly moved during his press conference. The Croatian struggled to hold back tears as he discussed his friend’s passing.
“From me and also from my brother, our sincere condolences to Peter’s family,” he said. “A great man has left us.
“Not only as an assistant coach in Munich, but also as assistant coach when I was still a player in Leverkusen. Really a shock.”
Hermann was a seasoned veteran of more than 1,000 matches as an assistant coach. The German had spells with Dortmund, Bayern Munich, FC Nuremberg, Schalke 04, Hamburg SV, Bayer Leverkusen and the Germany national team as he occupied a crucial position at the pinnacle of German football.
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Bayern were glowing in their praise of Hermann as they paid tribute. “Arm in arm with Franck Ribéry, deep in conversation with David Alaba, beer showers with Arjen Robben – there are countless scenes that have stayed in the memory and show what an extraordinary figure Bayern lost on Saturday,” they said.
“Peter Hermann, the indispensable right-hand man of treble-winning boss Jupp Heynckes, passed away at the age of 74, and German football is mourning the loss of a unique bridge between generations, a man of great humanity and a true specialist in his field.”
Bayern Leverkusen honoured their former coach with a heartfelt tribute. “More renowned and respected in the sport than many a head coach,” their statement declared.
“An undisputed football expert, Hermann never made a fuss about himself. Down-to-earth, modest, loyal. A man with a great sense of humour and without a trace of vanity. A team player, a meticulous worker and a good listener.”