BERLIN, May 13 -- While many German football fans are happy about the most exciting Bundesliga title race since 2009, Bayern Munich seem stuck in a crucial debate about the status of their coach.
The future of Niko Kovac is said to be more uncertain than ever, despite the possibility of winning both the Bundesliga and the German Cup over the next two weeks.
With only one Bundesliga matchday to go, Bayern are two points ahead of Borussia Dortmund, and take on RB Leipzig in the Cup final on May 25.
Fans, pundits and media fear the uncertainty over Kovac's future could affect the Bavarians' chances of success. Media reports speak about Kovac departing after the 2018/2019 season despite having a contract until 2021. Rumors talk about Bayern's interest in Leipzig coach Ralf Rangnick and Paris Saint Germain's Thomas Tuchel.
The Bavarian club has been under fire since its leaders such as chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, president Uli Hoeness and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic refused to confirm the 47-year-old as next season's coach.
After Bayern's goalless draw in the penultimate league game against Leipzig, media and pundits opened fire on Bayern's bosses.
The news magazine Focus said Kovac deserves to be treated better. Die Welt headlined: "Bayern's policy regarding Kovac is dishonorable," while the tabloid Bild demanded: "Start telling him the truth!" Sport1 and several other commentators suggested Kovac should resign after the season regardless of any possible success, while football magazine Kicker said Rummenigge is choosing the wrong time to question Kovac.
Former Bayern and Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann accused the club's leaders of presiding over a failed recruitment policy. "They tried to play with two 35-year-olds on the wings and expected to win the Champions League. Bayern's current squad hasn't got the same quality as this season's Champions League semifinalists. That wasn't Kovac's mistake," Hamann said, adding that the coach is doing an admirable job in a difficult situation.
Former Dortmund and Cologne coach Peter Stoeger said that if Bayern are intending to make things really hard for Kovac, "they are doing a great job."
Reports speak about growing dissatisfaction among Bayern's leaders regarding the team's progress and performance on the continental stage, after an early exit in the Champions League round of 16, with suggestions that Kovac has lost the dressing room and rumors of controversial discussions among players.
The club's leaders are said to mistrust Kovac's ability to successfully restructure the team, with several of Bayern's elder statesmen expected to leave after this season.
"We played without courage against Liverpool. It is the coach who decides the team's strategy, and the team follows his advice," Salihamidzic said. The 42-year-old former Bayern midfielder refused to back Kovac when talking about the former Croatian national coach's future. "We will see," he commented.
Rummenigge complained about demands for a commitment regarding his coach. "We all have to deliver when working for Bayern," the Euro 1980 winner emphasized, adding that convenience doesn't lead to success.
Meanwhile, Kovac claims not to be affected by the debate that his side faces a "final" when meeting Eintracht Frankfurt in their final league game. A draw would secure their seventh consecutive national title as Bayern enjoy a two-point lead over Dortmund and have a goal difference of +17 over their rivals.
习近平西雅图演讲(双语全文)
“赞酱”是什么鬼?
领导身边的“魔术贴式官员”
让你欲罢不能的“超级美味”
脆弱的“茶杯一代”
有类人天生对事实不买账
2016年初二英语寒假作业答案(仅供参考)
8年级英语寒假作业题参考
“大爷式占座”惹争议
不想打工?来做“个体企业经营者”吧
小心“大脑短路”
有人叫你bimbo别高兴
交通新理念“裸街”
专属于自己的me time
小心成为“求赞党”
快来迎接“小黄人黄”
2016年初二英语园地寒假作业答案
太伤心进入“避男期”
引人瞩目的Mic drop
韩国陪酒机器人邀君共饮 会脸红有酒量
穿过草地的“心选小路”
英美对色情报复立法
“化妆品冰箱”大行其道
总在忧天的“杞人”
总觉自己太瘦小?可能是“恐瘦症”
那些奇葩的“寄生建筑”
习近平在第70届联合国大会一般性辩论时讲话
超人气男士发型Man Bun
你的“笑点”真高啊
现在流行“婚前宠物协议”
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |