Thiago Alcantara is enjoying life at Bayern Munich under Niko Kovac

Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara is pleased with the way things are going for him under Niko Kovac this season.

Bayern Munich have relieved much of the pressure on themselves over the past few months. Niko Kovac and Co. are still not at the top of the Bundesliga table, but their performances have improved lately, as have the results. Much of their success is owed to Niko Kovac finding a starting XI and system that works.

Thiago Alcantara has been one of the main reasons behind Bayern’s recent upturn in form. The Spaniard has been deployed in a deeper role throughout the season, where he contributes heavily by dictating the tempo of the game. Speaking with Sport1, Thiago talked about his new manager

"“He is a coach who wants to get the most out of the players.“In old age, you get more experience in football. Also with the partners you play alongside, which makes it different from year to year.”“I try every year to be stronger than last year. I’m stronger now than in the last season, and I want to be even stronger in the new season than I am now. “"

More from Bayern Strikes

• Bayern Munich: Tactical takeaways from 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen
• Bayern Munich: Kingsley Coman set to be fit for Manchester United clash
• Bayern Munich unlikely to move for Trevoh Chalobah in January
• Bayern Munich: Key lessons from draw against Bayer Leverkusen
• Bayern Munich remains keen on hiring Max Eberl

There have been four different managers at Bayern in the last five years. Thiago has been an important player for almost every manager, but in different positions. Pep Guardiola used him as a number eight or, occasionally, a number 10, while Carlo Ancelotti utilized his expansive passing range in a deeper role. Jupp Heynckes used him sparingly, as James Rodriguez and Thomas Muller were used as the attacking midfielders during his short tenure at the club.

The former Barcelona midfielder has had terrible luck with injury problems throughout his time at Bayern. He suffered another serious injury in October that kept him out for several weeks. Kovac started using Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka in midfield while Thiago battled back to fitness. The Spaniard hasn’t shown any signs of rust since making his return to the starting lineup.

There was a lot of talk about Thiago’s future in the summer transfer window. Bayern Munich were reportedly ready to listen offers for the 27-year-old. Real Madrid and Barcelona were loosely linked with him, but the Bavarians ultimately decided he wasn’t for sale.

It will be a huge surprise if Bayern change their minds on the player over the next summer. He has become a key player under Kovac and still has many years left in his prime. His current contract is set to expire in 2021, but he feels settled in Munich. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Bayern hand him an extension soon. Kovac and Co. will just be hoping he can remain injury free over the next several months.