After a tense draw against RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich chief Karl Heinz-Rummenigge once again refused to assure Niko Kovac’s future at the club.
The managerial position at Bayern Munich has been subject to a lot of speculation in the past two months. Niko Kovac’s first season has not exactly been a typical Bayern season, but the Rekordmeister still remain in the mix for two domestic trophies.
The Bavarians missed out on an opportunity to seal the Bundesliga title on Saturday when they were held to a goalless draw by RB Leipzig. This result has given Borussia Dortmund hope going into the final day of the season. Still, Die Roten just need one more point against Eintracht Frankfurt next weekend to retain the Bundesliga title.
Speaking to Sky after the draw against RB Leipzig, Karl Heinz-Rummenigge dodged all questions about Kovac’s future at the club. He insisted that every individual at the club needs to maintain high standards and achieve results in order to survive at the club. Kalle also added that he has no personal problems with Kovac and is optimistic that Bayern will win the title on the final day.
"“I have no problem with Niko Kovac at all. I always hear the word job guarantee, job guarantee. At Bayern Munich, the players, the management and also the coach have to deliver success at the end of the day — and that applies to everyone.”“We also have to make sure that the successes of the last ten, 20, 30 years remain, and that the team remains under tension. This applies to all of us. Everyone who has played or worked at Bayern Munich knows that that in a certain continuity you have to bring this performance. “"
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Rummenigge remained coy when asked about Kovac’s future at Bayern in an interview in April. The Croatian manager’s future has been a talking point in Germany throughout this season. There has been inconsistency in the team’s performances despite the string of positive results in the second half of the campaign.
Bayern Munich have been linked with some of the top managers in Europe lately. There have been some strong suggestions across Europe that Bayern are closely monitoring the situation of Ajax manager Erik ten Hag.
Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel have also been loosely linked with a move to Munich. The club has not openly denied these claims — as they did with the brief Julen Lopetegui rumors — which further casts doubt over Kovac’s position at the club.
There have been some very positive performances from Bayern Munich in the second half of the season. The demolition of Dortmund at the Allianz Arena in April was their best performance of the season. Kovac has shown his tactical nous against top sides in the Bundesliga, but he desperately needs new ideas to do well in the Champions League next season.
Kovac will likely have to win both the DFB Pokal and the Bundesliga to shut down speculation and get himself more time at the club. The club is set to start its massive rebuild this summer as numerous veteran players will depart by the end of this month. Expect some clarity over the managerial position to be established by the end of the month so Bayern can move ahead with their summer transfer plans.