Bayern chief chides coach Kovac as relationship takes new twist

Bayern have been cautiously mulling a bid for Manchester City and Germany winger Leroy Sane through the close-season but coach Niko Kovac uncharacteristically went off-message at the weekend when he said: "I am very confident, I assume we can get him." Photo: Michael Dalder/Reuters

Bayern have been cautiously mulling a bid for Manchester City and Germany winger Leroy Sane through the close-season but coach Niko Kovac uncharacteristically went off-message at the weekend when he said: "I am very confident, I assume we can get him." Photo: Michael Dalder/Reuters

Published Jul 31, 2019

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MUNICH – Battering Fenerbahce 6-1 ahead of this Saturday's

Super Cup at Borussia Dortmund should have been a moment of joy for

Bayern Munich, but instead the relationship between chief executive

and coach is again the main talking point.

Bayern have been cautiously mulling a bid for Manchester City and

Germany winger Leroy Sane through the close-season but coach Niko

Kovac uncharacteristically went off-message at the weekend when he

said: "I am very confident, I assume we can get him."

Chief Executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was upset by the comments and

hit back, telling ZDF television: "I didn't like the statement and I

have made no secret of it."

It is the latest twist in an awkward relationship between Kovac and

Rummenigge. Media reports have long said the latter was sceptical

about appointing the Croatian in the first place ahead of last

season.

Rummenigge was also cautious in confirming Kovac would continue in

the job after a tricky first season which in the end finished with a

league and cup double. The chief executive was especially annoyed by

the limp Champions League last 16 defeat by Liverpool.

He had softened his tone towards Kovac in recent weeks but

speculation is rife that club president Uli Hoeness, a big backer of

Kovac, will quit in the coming months leaving Rummenigge as the major

power broker and Kovac on thin ice.

Even sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic, on very good terms with

Kovac, reacted sternly to the coach's outburst.

"We have all been advised quite rightly not to talk about players who

are under contract at other clubs. It is very important that we all

do this in the future," he said.

Kovac has apologized to Bayern and City but it remains to be seen if

the saga will affect the Bavarians' chances of landing Sane, who

would cost well in excess of 50 million euros (56 million dollars)

with City coach Pep Guardiola saying he does not want to sell.

Bayern need reinforcements out wide after the departures of Arjen

Robben and Franck Ribery.

Many fans are so far unimpressed with their transfer window deals,

which include the arrivals of France World Cup-winning defenders

Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez, as well as teenager forward

Jann-Fiete Arp.

At least supporters are happy about on-field events. Thomas Mueller

scored a hat-trick in the 6-1 home friendly win over Fenerbahce on

Tuesday, after coming on as a substitute after winger Serge Gnabry

limped off after 20 minutes.

Any serious problem for Gnabry will accelerate Bayern's need for

another winger. But the club will stay silent on targets this time.

dpa

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