Bayern Munich boss set to walk away

It was arguably the most intense one-on-one in German football in recent weeks. It took place not on any pitch but behind closed doors at Bayern Munich.

In one corner was Hansi Flick, the Champions-League-winning head coach. In the other was Hasan Salihamidzic, the sporting director and operating hand of Bayern’s hierarchy.

Those not familiar with the club’s inner workings might assume that all is happiness at Bayern, given the team’s success. Instead, there is a power battle playing out.

And, while all eyes are on Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris St-Germain, with Bayern going to France trailing 3-2, the final outcome might be a split between the club and its much-heralded coach.

The main arguments have been over recent transfer activities. Flick was frustrated that Thiago left the club last summer and also opposed the decisions of Bayern’s management to end negotiations with David Alaba over a contract extension and to let Jerome Boateng’s contract run out this summer.

“Let me say it this way: I have been the head coach for a year and a half here. We had a team last year that was quality-wise better than this year, everyone knows that,” Flick said. Salihamidzic made a few last-minute signings in October in an attempt to fill some of the holes in the squad. However, Bouna Sarr, Marc Roca and Douglas Costa, three of the signings, have barely played until now.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, the fourth October signing, was pressed into action against Paris St-Germain in last week’s Champions League quarter-final first leg, with a knee injury forcing star striker Robert Lewandowski’s absence. Choupo-Moting is more comfortable in a deeper role, and even though the stand-in scored, Flick was still left to reflect on what might have been with a top-level number nine in his attack.

The head coach, though, has tried to remain positive. “We have all the chances to reach the semi-finals if we play with more efficiency,” he said. I have a lot of fun with my coaching staff. We are focused. One can see, looking at the team, the excitement, intensity, mentality they play their games with.”

Source: BBC