Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac cancelled a live television interview on Sky Sport Germany after learning of the death of his close friend and former assistant Peter Hermann, who passed away at age 74 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Breaking News Live on Sky Sport Germany
Borussia Dortmund manager Niko Kovac received news of the death of his former assistant Peter Hermann live on air following his side’s 1-0 win over Stuttgart, according to Sky Sport Germany. Presenter Sebastian Hellmann broke the news mid-interview to Kovac, alongside analysts Lothar Matthaus and Julia Simic.
The 54-year-old manager visibly struggled to maintain his composure upon hearing the update. “This makes me feel a little short of breath,” Kovac stated, as reported by Sky Sport Germany. “A month or two ago I was still trying to talk to him, but that is no longer possible at all. Sadly his illness was incurable. I am extremely sad, a good person has left us.”
Did you know? Across a distinguished career spanning more than 1,000 professional matches, Peter Hermann served as an assistant manager for numerous clubs, including Schalke, Hamburg, Bayer Leverkusen, and Borussia Dortmund.
A Lasting Legacy in German Football
Hermann passed away at the age of 74 after a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a severe neurodegenerative disease. Kovac mentioned that when he tried to reach out to his old friend earlier, Hermann’s daughter answered the phone.
He served as Heynckes’ assistant when Bayern Munich secured their historic treble in 2013, and he returned to the club when Heynckes came back in 2017. Hermann stayed on for an additional season when Kovac took charge of the team.
Media Cancellations and Tributes
Deeply shaken by the loss, Kovac cancelled his scheduled media appearance on the Aktuelles Sportstudio program on ZDF, according to presenter Katrin Muller-Hohenstein.
During the post-match press conference, Kovac fought back tears while addressing reporters. “From me and also from my brother, our deepest condolences to Peter’s family,” Kovac said. “A great man has left us. Not only as an assistant manager in Munich, but also as an assistant manager when I was still a player at Leverkusen. It is a real shock.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Peter Hermann?
How did Niko Kovac find out about the news?
According to Sky Sport Germany, presenter Sebastian Hellmann informed Kovac live on television following Borussia Dortmund’s 1-0 victory over Stuttgart.
What illness did Peter Hermann have?
Peter Hermann passed away at age 74 following a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
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