Niko Kovač stunned on live TV after being told Peter Hermann had died

Report published on 20.09.2026: Borussia Dortmund celebrated a 1-0 away win at Stuttgart — a result secured by a goal from Maximilian Baer — but the victory was overshadowed when coach Niko Kovač was informed live on television that his former assistant Peter Hermann had died.

Live interview turned into a stunned moment

During a post-match interview with Sky Sports Germany the hosts told Kovač that his close friend and former assistant, Peter Hermann, had passed away. The news hit the Croatian coach visibly hard: he fought back tears and spoke with clear emotion about Hermann, showing how deeply affected he was by the announcement.

The televised exchange drew a wave of criticism on social media, with many viewers questioning whether a live post-match programme was the appropriate setting to deliver such a personal and painful message. Commentators on various platforms described the moment as shocking and raised ethical questions about the timing and manner of the disclosure.

Peter Hermann, who previously worked alongside Niko Kovač during his time at Bayern Munich, died on Saturday at the age of 74, according to German media reports. The disclosure of the death immediately became the focal point of the broadcast and of subsequent public debate.

Despite the emotional interruption, Dortmund’s unbeaten start continued: the club now sits top of the table after four wins in the first four league rounds. The narrow victory in Stuttgart preserved their perfect start to the season but could not prevent the post-match scene from becoming the dominant talking point.

The episode has left observers divided between sympathy for Kovač’s distress and criticism of the broadcasters’ decision to break the news live. Both the club and the media reaction are likely to be discussed further in the coming days.

Photo: press material from the event