Bayern win over Wolfsburg overshadowed as manager Flick reveals plan to leave champions at end of season
Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick has revealed that he plans to leave the German champions at the end of the season.
Despite winning six trophies over the past 12 months, Flick said after yesterday’s 3-2 win at Wolfsburg – that left the Bavarians seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga – that he “wants to be released” from his contract that expires in 2023.
The 56-year-old, who steered
Bayern to a remarkable run of success after taking over from Niko Kovac in 2019, said his players had already been informed. “I told the team that I informed the club during the week that I want out of my contract at the end of the season,” Flick said. “It was not an easy decision for me.”
Tensions have been simmering behind the scenes between Flick and Bayern sports director Hasan Salihamidzic over player recruitment.
“I have discussed things internally with those responsible. The reasons will remain internal for now,” added Flick.
Being released from his Bayern contract would clear the way for
Flick to take charge of Germany after Euro 2020, when current manager after Joachim Low steps down. He was Low’s assistant coach when Germany won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“The future is absolutely not clear,” he said. “There has been no discussions regarding that. Obviously the [German] FA is an option which every coach has to think about. But this [decision] is independent of that.
“But I have to digest everything now. The last few weeks were not easy. That is why it was very important to say it to the club and the team.” The Bavarians, who were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain last week in the Champions League quarter-finals, are on course for a record-extending ninth consecutive Bundesliga crown.
Yesterday, teenager Jamal Musiala scored two goals and was involved in the other to secure three points at Wolfsburg.
Musiala, 18, opened the scoring in the 15th minute when he eluded three Wolfsburg defenders before squeezing his shot under goalkeeper Koen Casteels.
Musiala was again involved for Bayern’s second in the 24th, playing in David Alaba. The Austrian defender, who is also leaving the club this summer, saw his cross dropped by Casteels right at the feet of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, who
gratefully tapped it in. Wout Weghorst pulled one back against in the 35th minute, but Thomas Muller crossed for Musiala to head in his second goal two minutes later.
Wolfsburg’s Maximilian Philipp scored their second from a Paulo Otavio cross but Bayern held on for victory.