Bayern Strikes
Fansided

Niko Kovac expects Robert Lewandowski to stay at Bayern Munich

By Kiran Thakare

02 July 2018, Germany, Munich: Soccer, Bundesliga, FC Bayern Munich press conference with the presentation of the new coach in the Allianz Arena. The new head coach Niko Kovac (L) and Director of Sport Hasan Salihamidzic holding up a training jacket with the initials NK. Photo: Andreas Gebert/dpa (Photo by Andreas Gebert/picture alliance via Getty Images)
02 July 2018, Germany, Munich: Soccer, Bundesliga, FC Bayern Munich press conference with the presentation of the new coach in the Allianz Arena. The new head coach Niko Kovac (L) and Director of Sport Hasan Salihamidzic holding up a training jacket with the initials NK. Photo: Andreas Gebert/dpa (Photo by Andreas Gebert/picture alliance via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

New Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac expects the club’s star striker Robert Lewandowski to stay and is eager to work with him.

Bayern Munich unveiled their new manager on Monday. Niko Kovac has signed a three-year deal with the German champions. The Bavarians also unveiled Serge Gnabry along with Kovac. Gnabry will join the first team after a successful loan spell at Hoffenheim.

There has been several reports linking Robert Lewandowski to other top European clubs. However, in his first press conference with Bayern (via Goal), Kovac made it clear that he is eager to work with the Polish striker. The Croatian is not expecting Lewandowski to leave the club after holding positive talks with him.

"“I was on the phone with Lewandowski and told him my opinion. I’m looking forward to working with him.“He’s a world-class striker who has achieved a lot at this club [and] in the future will continue to perform that way.”"

More from Bayern Strikes

Lewandowski’s agent has previously admitted that the player has asked for a transfer this summer. Since then, the Polish striker has been linked with both Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. However, it is widely believed that Lewandowski wants to complete a dream move to Real Madrid.

Bayern Munich have always insisted that they are not going to sell the Polish forward. Lewandowski has not yet spoken openly about the transfer despite the comments from his agent. It would take a mammoth offer for Bayern to even consider selling Lewandowski. Real Madrid are also reportedly not pursuing the player’s signature, so a move at this point seems highly unlikely.

Lewandowski endured a very difficult end to the ’17-18 season. He was widely criticized for his performances in big games, particularly in the Champions League semifinals against Real Madrid. There were reports about his poor attitude in training, but Jupp Heynckes quickly dismissed these reports.

The Polish forward also had a tough time with Poland in Russia. He was not able to score a single goal as Poland finished last in Group H.

Bayern Munich will be hoping that Lewandowski returns for pre-season training with the right frame of mind. The Pole scored 41 goals in all competitions last season. He is set to turn 30 next month and still has at most two years left in his prime. Bayern have suffered disappointment in their last five Champions League campaigns and will be hoping that Lewandowski leads them to European glory next season.

Next: Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal wanted by Atletico Madrid

Kovas has also refused to rule out any further transfer moves for the club. He expressed his eagerness to work with Renato Sanches, who has returned to the club after a disastrous loan spell at Swansea. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich are expecting Jerome Boateng to stay at the club after no concrete interest has been shown in the defender.

Home/FC Bayern Munich News