The Homecoming: What to expect from Kovac as Bayern Munich boss
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Bayern lifted the DFL-Supercup last weekend
There’s been another change in the Bayern Munich hotseat this summer. And it’s a former player – Niko Kovac – who has inherited the head coach role.
With the DFL-Supercup final behind him, and the Bundesliga season on the horizon, the Coral News Team take an in-depth look at the Kovac era.
The backstory
The appointment of the 46-year-old has been something of a curveball by Bayern’s standards.
Recent hires like Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and the returning Jupp Heynckes all had previous experience of lifting league and European honours with major clubs. By contrast, this job represents a real step up in expectation for Kovac.
That’s not to say he’s without some good experience. He led Croatia to World Cup 2014 as manager – though they did crash out of a tough group stage.
And Kovac takes the Bayern job following a successful stint as Eintracht Frankfurt boss. His first full season saw an improved 11th place finish in the Bundesliga, before the club finished eighth and won the DFB Pokal – their first trophy since 1988.
Supercup signs and summer dealings
There’s only so much you can take from one game. But Bayern were extremely impressive in a 5-0 win over Frankfurt. Die Adler had home advantage, but suffered the heaviest defeat on their own patch since May 2009.
Der FCB lined up in a 4-1-4-1 system, with all eleven of the starting line-up players that Kovac has inherited.
Indeed, he’s tinkered little with the squad. Leon Goretzka from Schalke 04 is the only major addition – though the dynamic midfielder is a hugely exciting buy.
At 23-years-old, Goretzka already has over 100 Bundesliga appearances under his belt. And the best is likely still to come from him.
Two have left, in Douglas Costa and Arturo Vidal. But neither look like big losses.
The former was already out on loan last term, and Vidal – who was injured for much of last season – wasn’t really missed in his absence.
Kovac’s side kick off the league campaign at home to Hoffenheim, with 1/4 for a Bayern victory.
In the Bundesliga title market, Coral’s odds make the Bavarian club hot favourites at 1/7 to retain their crown.
Click here for the latest Bundesliga odds from Coral.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
