/>

Manuel Neuer insists Niko Kovac left Bayern on good terms

Kovac left his role as Bayern coach on good enough terms with the players that any of them would be able to meet up with him for coffee, according to Neuer.

Published : Nov 07, 2019 15:50 IST

Former Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac
Former Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac
lightbox-info

Former Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac

Niko Kovac left his role as Bayern Munich coach on good enough terms with the players that any of them would be able to meet up with him for coffee, according to captain Manuel Neuer.

Kovac had been under pressure for much of the early stages of the 2019-20 season due to underwhelming results and controversy surrounding his sparing use of fan favourite Thomas Muller.

WATCH |  Favre sorry to see Kovac lose his job

The final straw came in Saturday's 5-1 humiliation at the Croatian's former employer Eintracht Frankfurt, with club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge later revealing "an open and serious conversation" the following day brought the hierarchy to the conclusion a change was needed.

Assistant coach Hansi Flick was placed in temporary charge and he presided over a 2-0 Champions League win at home to Olympiacos on Wednesday.

Despite Kovac's dismissal, Neuer insists none of the players hold any ill will towards the man who guided the club to a Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in his only full campaign at the helm.

READ| Kimmich: Bayern must reflect and improve after Kovac sacking

"I take my hat off to Niko and Robbie [Robert Kovac, former first-team coach and Niko's brother] as they have said goodbye," Neuer told reporters.

"I think that every player, if he meets Robbie or Niko, can look them in the eyes and drink a coffee together.

"It [the farewell] was emotional, of course, because we had a great time together. We wish him all the best. If we had played successfully, this would not have happened."

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been heavily linked with the job after Ralf Rangnick and Erik ten Hag distanced themselves from it.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment