Lothar Matthaus advises Bayern Munich to consider managerial change
Bayern Munich and Germany legend Lothar Matthaus believes Niko Kovac is not the right manager for his former club.
Bayern Munich have been under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons this season. The defending German champions have been struggling in the Bundesliga, and their performances have been largely unconvincing in the Champions League as well.
It will take a commendable effort from the Bayern players to retain the league title this season, as Borussia Dortmund have been in supreme form this year and currently sit nine points ahead of their rivals at the top of the Bundesliga table.
After Bayern’s horrendous 3-3 draw against Fortuna Dusseldorf this past weekend, changes are expected in the Bavarian capital. Speaking to Sky, Lothar Matthaus stated that his former club are playing completely against their identity. He further insisted that this team is not able to do some basic things and there is a clear lack of belief. Matthaus added that Niko Kovac and Bayern Munich are not at the same wavelength, and all signs are ultimately pointing towards a managerial change.
"“The team plays without emotion, is not focused, gives guided tours, does not go into the duels, there is a lot of it that is not right.“At the moment, Kovac and Bayern do not fit together. Bayern have not played to their expected level. Their players are not playing to their limit.”"
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Bayern Munich have hesitated to make quick a swift decision on Kovac’s future this season, despite the poor results. The German club quickly sacked Carlo Ancelotti after some poor results and a disastrous Champions League night in Paris last year. They have backed Kovac on numerous occasions, but the tune from Uli Hoeness changed after Saturday’s game.
Ancelotti fell out with the majority of Bayern’s senior players during his second season at the club. It looks like the same thing has now happened to Niko Kovac, as there have been many reports about Bayern’s unhappy dressing room.
The players are reportedly not on board with Kovac’s rotation policy or his methods on the pitch. If the results don’t improve soon, then these noises from the dressing room are going to get even louder.
Bayern are reportedly making contingency plans to replace Kovac. Arsene Wenger has emerged as the main candidate for the managerial position if Kovac is sacked. Kovac’s future will become much clearer by the end of the week. If Bayern fail to win against Benfica in a convincing manner, it may very well be the Croatian’s last match in the Bavarian dugout.
dark. Next. Bayern Munich won’t make James decision til the summer
Kovac deserves time right now as the club is in a period of transition. Bayern currently have a squad full of aging players, and many of the senior players are on a steady decline. Moreover, the club decided to invest close to nothing in the summer window and handed over new deals to older players. The results are not good right now, but Kovac should be given ample amount of time to improve his current situation.