Borussia Dortmund head coach Niko Kovač is sending a clear message to his squad ahead of the summer break: rest is earned, but relaxation has limits. As the Bundesliga season wraps up this Saturday with a final clash against Werder Bremen, Kovač has laid out a strict fitness plan for players not heading to the World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico.

While those players will enjoy eight weeks off, only one of those weeks is for true downtime. "The staff have earned it, just like the players," Kovač said during a Friday press conference. "It sounds like a lot, but it isn't. They do nothing for one week and work for seven weeks... with the programme they get from us. The lads will certainly not be lazing around. You know me—there is no lazing around."

Known for his no-nonsense, hard-nosed approach, the Croatian coach has brought a new level of professionalism to Dortmund this season. That discipline paid off, as the club secured second place in the Bundesliga—though still trailing champions Bayern Munich by a significant margin. "If I sum everything up, we are very satisfied with what we have shown this season," Kovač reflected, after securing Champions League qualification with weeks to spare.

However, the season wasn't without its sting. The biggest regret? A heartbreaking Champions League play-off loss to Atalanta Bergamo in February. Dortmund took a commanding 2-0 lead at home, only to collapse 4-1 in the return leg in Italy. "It was one round too few," Kovač admitted. "It was our own fault because we had everything in our own hands."

For fans and players alike, the message is clear: the holiday may be short, but the drive to improve is relentless. As Dortmund looks ahead to next season, every week off the pitch comes with a plan to stay match-ready.