German champions, Bayern Munich have announced the sacking
of Niko Kovac as manager after Saturday's embarrassing 5-1 defeat to Eintracht
Frankfurt, the previous club he managed.
"The performance of our team in recent weeks and the
results have shown us that there was need for action. [Bayern club president]
Uli Hoeness, [sporting director] Hasan Salihamidzic and I had an open and
serious conversation with Niko on this basis on Sunday with the consensual
result that Niko is no longer coach of FC Bayern," Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz
Rummenigge said in a club statement.
"We all regret this development. I would like to thank
Niko Kovac on behalf of FC Bayern for his work, especially for winning the
doubles this past season," added Rummenigge.
The embarrassing and shocking defeat was Bayern's second of
the season.
Assistant coach Hans Flick will take charge of Bayern's
Champions League clash with Olympiakos on Wednesday and for next Saturday's key
clash with Borussia Dortmund.
The Croatian football manager who was appointed in 2018 to
take over at Bayern after a spell in charge of Eintracht Frankfurt, said it was
the "right decision".
"The results, and also the way we last played, made me
come to that decision," he said.
"During this time, our team has won the championship,
the DFB Cup and the Supercup. It was a good time. I wish the club and the team
all the best."
