In the wake of their worst Bundesliga defeat in 10 years, Bayern Munich have parted ways with manager Niko Kovac, the club announced.
The reigning German champions were thrashed 5-1 by Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, after which Kovac said he was “not naive” when quizzed about the security of his position on the bench.
Some 24 hours later, he was relieved of his duties, with CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge saying in a press release that recent results meant there was a “need for action.”
“I think this is the correct decision for the club at this time,” Kovac admitted. “The results and the way we’ve played lately have led me to this decision. My brother Robert and I would like to thank FC Bayern for these past 18 months. During that time our team won the Bundesliga, the DFB Cup, and the Supercup. It was a good time. I wish the club and the team all the very best.”
In the interim, Bayern confirmed that assistant Hans-Dieter Flick will take charge of the first team ahead of upcoming matches against Olympiacos and Borussia Dortmund.
The humbling defeat to Eintracht – ironically enough, the club Kovac left to take the reins at the Allianz Arena – saw fourth-place Bayern fall four points adrift of the top spot in the league table.
