Bayern Munich name Niko Kovac as Jupp Heynckes' successor

The Eintracht Frankfurt boss will take charge at the Allianz Arena on July 1. He has signed a three-year deal.

The news was announced just minutes before Bayern were drawn against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.

"We're very delighted we've secured the services of Niko Kovac as new FC Bayern head coach," said Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.

"Niko played for Bayern, he knows the people in charge, the club's structures and DNA. We're convinced he's the right coach for the future of FC Bayern."

Heynckes came out of retirement for a fourth spell in charge of the German champions in October after Carlo Ancelotti’s dismissal, helping steady the club’s charge for another Treble.

The 72-year-old led Bayern to the Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League during his last spell in charge in 2013.

Kovac, a former Croatia head coach, will be joined by younger brother Robert in the Bayern dugout.

The 46-year-old played 34 matches for Bayern in the Bundesliga between 2001 and 2003.

Florian Bogner (Eurosport Germany): Kovac is a young, but already experienced coach. Hs led the Croatian national team (2013-2015, including 2014 World Cup) and Eintracht Frankfurt (2016-2018), after learning his trade at Red Bull Salzburg (2009-2012).

He kept Frankfurt from being relegated in 2016 and could now lead them into Europe, with the Champions League still reachable (they are fifth, only six points behind second).

His style is to play with a good defence and, if possible, with fast attackers and a solid striker through the middle. With Frankfurt he prefers to play with three defenders in a 3-1-4-2 (or 3-5-2) system, which would be a huge change at Bayern, because three defenders were only occasionally used in some games under Pep Guardiola.

As he managed to get the best out of Kevin-Prince Boateng at Frankfurt you might say that he gets along quiet well with difficult characters.

Bayern went for him after they failed to convince Heynckes to say another year and after then finding out that Thomas Tuchel already said yes to PSG. He's third choice, but that won't matter to him as it's a big chance for him to coach a club like Bayern. Heynckes has called him a "good choice" for Bayern.