November 4, 2019 – Niko Kovac is no longer the coach of Bayern Munich, which was confirmed the Bavarian Club on its official website on Sunday.
The former Croatia national team coach was ruled out after the heavy defeat Bayern suffered on Saturday against Eintracht Frankfurt, when they lost 5-1.
The leaders of the Bavarian giant, President Uli Hoeness, executive chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and sports director Hasan Salihamidzic, agreed to relieve Kovac by mutual consent.
“The performances of our team in recent weeks and the results have shown us that there was a need for action. Uli Hoeneß, Hasan Salihamidzic and I had an open and serious discussion with Niko this Sunday based on that and came to the mutual decision that Niko is no longer head coach of FC Bayern. We all regret this development. I would like to thank Niko Kovac on behalf of FC Bayern for his work, particularly for last season’s double win,” Rummenigge said.
For now, assistant coach Hans Flick will be in charge of first-team training ahead of the important games against Olympiakos in the Champions League and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
Niko Kovac took over Bayern in April 2018, replacing Jupp Heynckes – though he already on the verge of being fired in the first season.
Bayern had a poor start to the season and after 15 rounds, was already nine points behind Borussia, which seemed almost an impossible mission to come back from. Halfway through the season, Borussia was six points ahead, and after 20 rounds they were up by seven. However, only four rounds later, Bayern closed the gap and both teams had 54 points after 24 rounds.
Borussia then suffered a major crisis and achieved only one win with two draws and a defeat from the 20-24th rounds, while the Bavarians booked four victories. In perhaps the most pivotal game of the season, Bayern crushed Borussia 5-0 and made a crucial step on the road to a record 29th Bundesliga title.
Niko Kovac eventually celebrated the title and also won the German Cup, while in the Champions League, Bayern lost in the round of 16 to the soon-to-be European champion Liverpool.
Bayern has not been convincing this season and is currently ranked fourth with 18 points, which is four less than Borussia Moenchengladbach.
“My brother Robert and I would like to thank FC Bayern for these past 18 months. During that time, our team won the Bundesliga, the DFB Cup, and the Supercup. It was a good time. I wish the club and the team all the very best,” said Kovac after the announcement.
Kovac led the Bavarian club in 65 appearances in all competitions, recording 42 wins, 15 draws, and eight losses.
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