Following the humiliating defeat at the hands of Eintracht Frankfurt, Fc Bayern Munchen has decided to part ways with it manager, Niko Kovac. The news was confirmed yesterday night by the club.
The Croatian joined the Bavarians in the summer of 2018 and replaced Jupp Heykens. He won the league and cup double in his first season and also got eliminated in the Champions League at quarter final stage by the eventual champions, Liverpool.
They however, started this season with inconsistent results and displays. Following the impressive 7-1 demolition of Tottenham Hotspurs at their new stadium, the German side have won just one of their four league fixtures which included defeats to Hoffenheim and Frankfurt.
In a statement on the club official website, Kovac said: “I think this is the right decision for the club at the moment, the results, and also the way we last played, made me come to that decision. My brother Robert and I thank Bayern for the last one and a half years. During this time, our team has won the championship, the DFB Pokal and the [DFL] Supercup. It was a good time. I wish the club and the team all the best."
I feel sacking Kovac was the right decision to make. This might look like a harsh decision given they are top of their Champions League group, they have lost only 2 games and are just 4 points off the top. But the truth Bayern were never going to reach the heights set by Heykens, Guardiola or Ancellotti under Kovac. They won the league to Dortmund performing poorly at the end and not how good Bayern really are.
Certain statements in the press did him no justice either. Referring to opposing fans(Frankfurt fans) as the best in the world could turn the most loyal set of fans against you. How he handled Thomas Muller’s situation was also poor and a player like Muller, who has been key to all of Bayern’s recent success should be treated better to avoid losing the dressing room.
In the end he failed at the most important part of the job too as Bayern looked out of sorts on the pitch. The over reliance of the brilliance of prolific striker, Robert Lewandoski was very obvious. Yes, injuries have played their part this season but their lethargic and mistakes-filled displays can’t be solely blamed on injuries.
Many names have been thrown in the hat as the search for a new manager begins with Mourinho one the early favorites. In the end, we will all have to wait till the next international break to find out who takes the hot seat of the most successful German side.