Kovac forced to apologise after Rummenigge rebukes him over Sane comments

The Bayern Munich boss has backtracked on his words about the Man City winger after his club's CEO expressed his displeasure

Niko Kovac says he has apologised to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola after publicly stating he was confident Bayern Munich would buy Leroy Sane.

Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, however, revealed his frustration at Kovac's comments ahead of the Bavarian giants' thumping 6-1 Audi Cup win over Fenerbahce on Tuesday, telling ZDF : "I did not like what he said."

The message has clearly got through to Kovac, who revealed after the game at the Allianz Arena that he has spoken to Guardiola and apologised for speaking publicly about his player.

He told ZDF: "We [Bayern and him] talked about it. Maybe I was too offensive in that interview. I talked to Pep and apologised because of it.

"I would like to apologise to the club, too. I will restrain myself in cases like this in the future."

Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic agreed that Kovac's comments crossed a line.

"We are all well advised not to talk about other players who are under contract with other clubs," Salihamidzic said. "That's why Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said that."