BERLIN • Bayern Munich chief executive officer Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has all but confirmed Niko Kovac's position was safe after the Bundesliga champions secured the domestic double with a 3-0 victory over RB Leipzig in the German Cup final on Saturday.
The Bayern coach has fought off relentless criticism in his first year in charge of the Bavarian giants, as well as rumours that he would be sacked even if the club did win the league and Cup double.
But their emphatic win over Leipzig appeared to end speculation over the Croat's future, as home fans chanted his name before kick-off and after the final whistle.
Rummenigge, who was considered one of Kovac's strongest boardroom critics this season, also told German broadcaster ARD that parting company with 47-year-old was "never an issue".
He said: "We never questioned whether he would be here next season, that was never a topic for us. At the end of the day, trophies are what is expected at Bayern. The coach plays a central role here."
The German added that while it had been a "curious" term, with the team undergoing several rocky patches during the year and were also convincingly knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 by Liverpool.
However, having played "amazingly" at the Olympiastadion for their 12th double and 19th Cup, the victory was a final vindication for Kovac, whose team overcame a nine-point deficit from rivals Borussia Dortmund to lift the Bundesliga title for a seventh straight time.
Admitting he knew "how difficult the job is", the former Eintracht Frankfurt coach, who paid tribute to the travelling support with a loudspeaker at the full-time whistle, told ARD: "I had to stay calm. Trophies are important.
"I thanked the fans, without them, we would not have made it out of the hole we were in earlier in the season
"Last year, I cried because I was leaving the club (Eintracht). This year, it was a bit less emotional but the emotions are always there."
Kovac is now the first coach to have won the Cup in two successive seasons with two different clubs, having beaten Bayern with his former team in last year's final.
Robert Lewandowski's brace and a late strike from Kingsley Coman sealed the victory and, afterwards, the Poland striker dedicated the trophy to long-serving teammates Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.
The duo will be departing the Allianz Arena in the summer on a free transfer, and Lewandowski told ARD that "they have done so much for the club and we have to thank them".
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Solari believes in VAR as Real claim slim win at Ajax
Ikhsan Fandi's career in Norway has got off to a good start after he scored his first goal in Raufoss IL's 6-1 win over Elverum FC in a friendly. The 19-year-old pounced and smashed in a
Football: Teen forward Ikhsan Fandi off to Norway for trial
Hazard Late Show Rescues Chelsea in Wolves Draw Maurizio Sarri insists Chelsea can still finish in the Premier League's top four after Eden Hazard's late strike rescued a 1-1 draw against Wolves on Sunday.
Hazard late show rescues Chelsea in Wolves draw - thescore.com
Poor show but Emery backs Mustafi, Football News & Top
The official Liverpool FC website. The only place to visit for all your LFC news, videos, history and match information. Full stats on LFC players, club products, official partners and lots more.
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has admitted sending someone to spy on Derby County in training - but insisted it was "not illegal". Derby called police on Thursday morning following reports
Football: Leeds manager Bielsa admits sending spy to Derby
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes critics have been too quick to write off his side's chances of defending the Premier League crown, and he expects more twists and turns in the title
Guardiola expects twists in title race, Football News & Top
Neymar denies raping woman in Paris luxury hotel, dad calls it extortion PARIS • Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar yesterday denied raping a woman who accused him of sexually assaulting her at a Paris hotel, with his father claiming he was the victim of blackmail.
Neymar denies claims he raped a woman in Paris hotel saying
regulations help implement the General Plan of the City of Phoenix, which are the goals, policies and recommendations of how development in the city (long-term) is to be achieved. The City of Phoenix has numerous zoning classifications and each one has a list of permitted uses and standards for building setbacks, densities, etc.
Building_Inspection_Faqs - dallascityhall.com
Football: Free curry fish head, bak chor mee for Liverpool fans if Reds beat Tottenham to win Champions League SINGAPORE - Liverpool fans will have an extra reason to celebrate if the Reds win the Champions League final on Sunday morning (June 2, Singapore time), with at least two food and beverage outlets offering free food to ardent supporters.
Football: Free curry fish head and bak chor mee for Liverpool
An operation against several footballers, ex-players including former Spain international Raul Bravo and club executives accused of fixing matches in the first and second divisions was underway in
Breaking: Several players arrested in match fixing probe in
Football: Zohore gives Cardiff 2-1 win over Southampton in
DAKAR • Egypt striker Mohamed Salah was named the African Footballer of the Year for the second straight year at the Confederation of African Football's (CAF) awards ceremony in Dakar on Tuesday..
Egypt's Salah retains African Footballer of the Year Award
Chelsea boss Sarri demands more from Hazard. he's more an individual player than a leader," said Sarri on Wednesday. In an interview with France Football, this week Hazard again raised
Chelsea Boss Sarri Demands More From Hazard - Channels Television
0 comments:
Post a Comment