Speaking at a talk show hosted by former Bayer Leverkusen executive Reiner Calmund, with Dortmund president Hans-Joachim Watzke also present, the 54-year-old was candid about the gap between the current group and those who elevated the club to European prominence.
"What we certainly don't have are those players that maybe some people here would like to see — with those extra skills," Kovac said. "I think what we or the fans are missing is maybe players like Sancho, Haaland, Dembélé and Reus."
The departures he alludes to stretch back several years. Ousmane Dembélé left for Barcelona, Erling Haaland moved to Manchester City, and Jude Bellingham completed a high-profile switch to Real Madrid in 2023. Marco Reus, a club icon, was not offered a new contract in 2024 and joined LA Galaxy.
Jadon Sancho remains a live possibility for the summer. The winger is on loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, whose contract with him expires at the end of June. Reports in Germany suggest Dortmund's hierarchy is increasingly convinced Sancho could suit Kovac's system, and the fact he would arrive on a free transfer makes the prospect more realistic.
Kovac was careful to balance his honest assessment with appreciation for what he has.
"I believe we are already doing a good job with the players we have. They are great and I am happy to work with them, but of course we also want to improve."
Dortmund currently sit second in the Bundesliga, twelve points behind Bayern Munich with the title all but out of reach, but well clear of the Champions League qualification places. Kovac's contract runs until 2027, and with creative midfielder Julian Brandt set to leave on a free transfer at the end of the season, reinforcement in that area is an acknowledged priority heading into the summer.