Bundesliga: Bayern Munich sack Niko Kovac

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have had enough with head coach Niko Kovac, the 48-year-old Croatian was sacked by the club on Sunday after having suffered their second defeat of the season. The manner of that defeat was something that Bayern are not really used to, they got thumped 5-1 at Bayer Leverkusen, their heaviest Bundesliga defeat in ten years. Niko Kovac had taken charge in July 2018 and managed to lead Bayern to a league-cup double last season. They have won seven consecutive Bundesliga titles, but now they are fourth in the league table, four points behind leaders Borussia Monchengladbach. 

Bayern Munich chief executive officer Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, said: "The performances of our team in recent weeks and the results have shown us that there was a need for action. We had an open and serious discussion with Niko this Sunday based on that and came to the mutual decision that Niko is no longer head coach of FC Bayern. We all regret this development. I would like to thank Niko Kovac on behalf of FC Bayern for his work, particularly for last season's double win." 

Bayern have been doing a lot better in the UEFA Champions League this season, so far they have won three out of three matches and are at the top of the table in Group B, five points clear of second-placed Tottenham. Niko Kovac had a few words for the fans after his sacking: "The results and the way we've played lately have led me to this decision. 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." 

Assistant coach Hansi Flick will take charge of Bayern in the Champions League against Olympiakos on Wednesday and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Saturday. There are some big-name managers out of contract at the moment, most notably Jose Mourinho. In fact, the Portuguese is the favourite to get the job, he is 11/4 at Betfair to become the next Bayern Munich manager, while former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is 9/1.