Bayern Munich ’18-19 Bundesliga fixture list announced
Niko Kovac can now begin preparations for his first Bundesliga match as Bayern Munich manager, which comes on August 24th against Hoffenheim.
Although Bayern Munich ended last season on a disappointing note, their ’17-18 campaign was by no means a poor one. After a disaster opening month or two, Carlo Ancelotti was relieved from his post as Bayern manager and eventually replaced by Jupp Heynckes.
Jupp was able to steady the Bavarian ship and — with the help of some terrible showings from Germany’s other “top” clubs — ultimately guide the club to a sixth consecutive Bundesliga title.
Despite the pleas from the Bayern board, Heynckes returned to retirement at the end of the season. At 73-years-old, his managerial days have come to a firm conclusion. His replacement, Niko Kovac, is now tasked with leading Bayern Munich into a new era.
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The Croatian joins the club after spending a couple successful seasons at Eintracht Frankfurt. His most notable achievement during that time? Beating his future employers 3-1 in last seasons DFB Pokal final.
Kovac’s first competitive test with Bayern Munich will come in the DFB Supercup, when he’ll be tasked with overcoming his former club. However, things will really heat up for him on August 24th, when Die Roten host TSG Hoffenheim in their ’18-19 Bundesliga season opener.
The match against Julian Nagelsmann and Co. comes as the first in a series of what should prove good trials for Bayern’s new manager. The Bavarians follow up the match with away games at VfB Stuttgart and FC Schalke 04 on matchdays two and four, respectively. Jammed right in between those two big matches is an exciting home match-up against Bayer Leverkusen.
Interestingly, Bayern’s final match of 2018 will come against Kovac’s former side, Frankfurt, on matchday 17. The much-anticipated Klassikers against Borussia Dortmund will come on matchdays 11 (in Dortmund) and 28 (in Munich).
Bayern Munich’s first four Bundesliga games will be excellent litmus tests for how the season will play out under Niko Kovac. He’ll have much to prove to the board, Bayern fans and others across Europe who doubt him as manager of such a big club like Bayern.
Next: Bayern Munich players struggle in World Cup group stage
Bundesliga kick-off is just under two months away. It’s exciting to think of how the season could play out under Niko Kovac. But if Bayern’s World Cup performances so far are any indication, the Croatian has a lot of work cut out for him this preseason.