BERLIN, July 13 -- Niko Kovac likes to talk about life's true values such as his family, close friends, and humanity. He openly speaks about his religious beliefs and love as the source of daily private life. "We tend to forget that," he says.
When referring about his own values, the 47-year-old Croatian rooted coach doesn't seem to fit into the relentless world of professional football he is entering every morning when arriving at Bayern Munich's headquarters at the Saebener Strasse.
Ahead of his second season with the 2019 German champions, the former midfielder might think more intensively than ever about the work-life-balance. It is no bold guess to assume the upcoming season is going to be an especially hard one.
Despite managing a problematic generation change in his squad, having won the 2019 National Championship and the German Cup, there seems no time to rest. "I have filled up my batteries again, but as ever, a vacation is always too short," he commented aware that the expectations have increased.
"This club is dying for the Champions League," the former German international said. The 63-year-old then talked about a glorious past with the legends Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery around "as we won the Champions League, reached the final three times and every year made it into the semifinal."
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is often repeating, "everyone is replaceable at Bayern." It seems evident that the last-16-round exit against Liverpool last season has left deep scars.
Reading between the lines, the semifinal of the European Cup is the bare minimum this season for Kovac. Some are reminded of the demise of Carlo Ancelotti, who got the sack in September 2017 shortly after the second year had started.
Yet, as previously reported, the demand for new signing to replace the outgoing stars remains. Despite calls of patience from the Bayern board, it is looking increasingly likely that Bayern will have to rely on the coaching prowess of Kovac as many targets, such as Leroy Sane, continue to pass the Bavarians by.