Bayern Announce the sacking of their chief coach

Bayern Munich have parted company with manager
Niko Kovac.

The decision follows Saturday’s 5-1 defeat at
Eintracht Frankfurt, which was the German
champions’ second in 10 Bundesliga games this
season.

Kovac leaves with Bayern fourth in the table, four
points behind leaders Borussia Monchengladbach.

The 48-year-old former Croatia midfielder had been
in charge since July 2018 and led Bayern to a
league-and-cup double last season.

Kovac won 45 of his 65 games in charge of Bayern
but Saturday’s defeat was the club’s heaviest in the
Bundesliga in 10 years.

Bayern said in a statement the decision had come
as “result of a mutual discussion with Niko Kovac
on Sunday.”

Chief executive officer Karl-Heinz Rummenigge,
said:

“The performances of our team in recent
weeks and the results have shown us that there was
a need for action.
“We 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.”

Kovac was also quoted in the statement on the
club’s website as saying he thought it

“was the
correct decision for the club at this time”.
“The results and the way we’ve played lately have
led me to this decision,” he said. “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.”

Assistant coach Hansi Flick will take charge of
Bayern in the Champions League against
Olympiakos on Wednesday (17.55 GMT) and
Borussia Dortmund on Saturday (17.30).