Bayern face crisis on and off field
Player revolt, mole add to Kovac woes
Berlin – Bayern Munich’s slump in form has opened up a Pandora’s box at the German champions this season, with players turning against coach Niko Kovac, a team mole leaking stories to the media and club bosses struggling to contain the escalating crisis.
The Bavarians, who have won the last six Bundesliga titles, have slipped to fifth in the standings this season after failing to win any of their last three league matches.
Their once dominant attacking style has been replaced with a timid, inaccurate passing game that appears to be regularly accompanied by poorly thought out tactics.
Leaders and usual rivals Borussia Dortmund have already forged nine points ahead of them.
Kovac, who took over this season, knows their 5-1 win over Benfica in the Champions League on Tuesday that carried them through to the knockout stage was merely a temporary reprieve and a slipup at Werder Bremen would likely cost him his job.
Kovac’s predecessor Jupp Heynckes spoke of players acting like “divas”.
“The talk was about four who are allegedly against me,” Kovac told reporters after the Benfica win. “But there was no talk at all about those who are on my side. It is clear there are many of them in the team.”
Kovac has blamed a lack of focus in games against sides considered as weak domestic opponents for the growing gap to Dortmund in the standings.
The problem, however, is no only confined to the pitch, with sports director Hasan Salihamidzic vowing to expose the mole, whose details of an uneasy dressingroom atmosphere has angered club bosses.
Dortmund, who also advanced to the Champions League knockout stage on Wednesday, will hope to continue their strong start at home to Freiburg tomorrow. –