The former head coach of the club always thought their current boss was the right man for the Bundesliga giants
Niko Kovac has turned Bayern Munich's form around thanks to the support he received in the boardroom, according to the club's former head coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.
Speculation about Kovac's future has been present throughout his first season at the club, which has seen Borussia Dortmund lead the way in the Bundesliga title race.
But ahead of Saturday's crunch clash between the top two at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, defending champions Bayern know beating Dortmund will put them in pole position to win the Bundesliga once more.
Kovac's side are also through to the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal, having come through a thrilling 5-4 encounter at home to second-tier side Heidenheim despite Niklas Sule's early red card.
And although Kovac's suitability to coach Bayern has been questioned, with more high-profile managers such as Jose Mourinho linked with succeeding the Croatian, Hitzfeld remains sure he is the right man for the job.
When rumours Arsene Wenger was set to take charge peaked in October, Bayern president Uli Hoeness, chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic held an extraordinary news conference to give Kovac their full backing and blast the media for their reporting.
And Hitzfeld feels support and trust from Hoeness, Rummenigge and Salihamidzic has helped Kovac to turn things around on the pitch, with Bayern having won 13 of their past 15 Bundesliga games to pile pressure on Dortmund.
"From day one I was convinced that Niko Kovac would master the switch to Bayern Munich," Hitzfeld told Omnisport. "He is a very meticulous coach who pays a lot of attention to details and he is a great motivator.
"I had him as a player at Bayern Munich and even though he wasn't always a starter, he was always a team player and pushed the team. And he always contributed to the spirits being high in the team, which is very important. Especially coming from players who aren't always key players.
"That shows the character and the focus. Tactically speaking, he worked wonders with Frankfurt. Especially, looking at the [DFB-Pokal] final where Bayern faced Frankfurt and he managed to surprise Bayern.
"So he passed the exam, he managed to get through the rough patch they had in Bundesliga and fortunately Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz-Rummenigge continued to trust in him and continue to be convinced of him.
"That's paying off now and that’s why the consistency returned to Bayern's games."
Bayern could well end the season with a double of Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles or end up empty-handed but Hitzfeld backed Kovac to deliver silverware despite Champions League disappointment against Liverpool in the last 16.
"At Bayern you have to collect titles, that's what you’re hired for - for that and to develop the football," Hitzfeld added.
"That part Niko has managed, but obviously he will be measured by the titles he wins. That's true for every Bayern coach. But he still has [the] chance to win the double.
"And even if he wins, 'Only one title', he will have achieved the goals. Therefore I'm very positive that Niko Kovac will manage that."
Friederich
0
If he wins the double then I will be very happy and excited to see what he can do next season. If we only win the league, then same old results. If we lose the league... a cause for concern. I do have faith in him though and think he deserves a chance with some new players he can call his own. He has the Bayern DNA and spirit, just needs some confidence and swagger through results.
Tanimaray
1
I don't want to draw arguments right now, all I want is Bayern to get rid of Kovac and his claustrophobic tactics. .😬😬 We are not at our fluent best anymore and though no one knows the Bayern way better than Jupp Heynckes, I would settle for someone liked Ten Haag or Nagelsmann, Nuno Sanches. This is not just about trophies, we are a team that records comprehensive victories, Which Kovac's brand of football can not produce. Maybe we played very well against WOLFSBURG and Gladbach, I didn't see the games, but from what I saw against Liverpool at the Allianz, has made me feel disgusting. .. Finally, I would say KOVAC OUT at the end of the season , no conditions applied.
Tanimaray
2
Bayern is not a small team.. All Kovac needs its a small team like Frankfurt if he needs a few seasons to deliver top notch football.. At bayern we need someone who knows what to do,, who plays the right tactics.. Someone like jupp.. Like pep.. Someone with experience.. This team is full of stars and more are coming in the summer.. They need a star coach tooo or niko will just waste their careers.. Players in bayern want to win UCL and need someone wise to lead them..
True. I suggest a list of managers I would like to pick from, choose your favourite -- Eric Ten Haag, Nuno Sanches, Marco Silva, Nagelsmann, Hutter, Tuchel and De Zerbi. Choose whom you would like ( I want Kovac out ).
SIMSV_
0
Stop putting pressure on kovac surely surely he will turn things normal
Things need to be great.. Not normal.. We aren't an average team..
SIMSV_
0
we r not team that sacks coach within months but if kovac failed to win atleast one trophy preferred Bundesliga he might lose his job
He must
SIMSV_
0
I've always been a fan of Kovac due to his successes with Frankfurt. Bayern's problem is deeper than a change of coach. Old players, injuries etc. Kovac is a young coach who can oversee real change in our squad. he needs a few seasons to be judged properly
Bayern is not a small team.. All Kovac needs its a small team like Frankfurt if he needs a few seasons to deliver top notch football.. At bayern we need someone who knows what to do,, who plays the right tactics.. Someone like jupp.. Like pep.. Someone with experience.. This team is full of stars and more are coming in the summer.. They need a star coach tooo or niko will just waste their careers.. Players in bayern want to win UCL and need someone wise to lead them..
Rahul25
1
he also needs to give young players minutes and improve his tactics especially our defensive tactics
correct and kavac want use young players too
bayernbeasts
1
kavac is good coach ..but he needs lot of experience..
he also needs to give young players minutes and improve his tactics especially our defensive tactics
sihadeilos
3
I've always been a fan of Kovac due to his successes with Frankfurt. Bayern's problem is deeper than a change of coach. Old players, injuries etc. Kovac is a young coach who can oversee real change in our squad. he needs a few seasons to be judged properly
hadisyz
2
Nico is good coach he needs some good player special Midfield he's going to be good
jomabck
1
Stop putting pressure on kovac surely surely he will turn things normal
you like mediocrity that's why you support kovac
Rahul25
1
I mean I've never been 100% sure of niko but if he manages to win the double then he'll have all my support. however, I still have doubts that he tactically isn't good enough for big games as he hasn't won against Dortmund Liverpool or Ajax but only time will tell wether we get a new coach. personally I don't like niko but maybe just maybe he could turn into a great manager. Mia San Mia
kavac is good coach ..but he needs lot of experience..
Sioekmrsuz
0
if he stays untill the end of season he will win his first trophie.lol lucky him .
bayernbeasts
4
I mean I've never been 100% sure of niko but if he manages to win the double then he'll have all my support. however, I still have doubts that he tactically isn't good enough for big games as he hasn't won against Dortmund Liverpool or Ajax but only time will tell wether we get a new coach. personally I don't like niko but maybe just maybe he could turn into a great manager. Mia San Mia
krishnademon
4
we r not team that sacks coach within months but if kovac failed to win atleast one trophy preferred Bundesliga he might lose his job
Misbcimnp
1
Stop putting pressure on kovac surely surely he will turn things normal