With six trophies and a seventh one possibly on the way before the end of the season, why is Hansi Flick leaving Bayern Munich?
Bayern Munich have confirmed RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann as their new manager for next season.
The news came only 10 days after the club’s current coach Hansi Flick announced a desire to leave in the summer, despite being under contract at the Allianz Arena until June 2023.
The 56-year-old’s bombshell announcement came amid growing tension inside Bayern. His relationship with the club, particularly with sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic, had become strained.
More often than not, Flick found himself in a power struggle with Salihamidzic – especially regarding transfer decisions.
The decision to allow center-backs David Alaba and Jerome Boateng to leave once their contracts have expired in the summer were not approved by Flick, nor was Thiago Alcantara’s sale to Liverpool last year.
“I have been the head coach for a year and a half here,” said Flick recently.
“We had a team last year that was quality-wise better than this year, everyone knows that.”
Salihamidzic attempted a quick-fix by signing Douglas Costa, Marc Roca, Bouna Sarr, Tiago Dantas, and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting in October.
Aside from Choupo-Moting, however, none of these players have made a significant impact or featured much under Flick.
The Champions League quarter-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain was the last straw. While aware of his impact at Bayern, and obviously pleased with his achievements, Flick accepted he would never be fully in control.
And with Joachim Low to step down as manager of the German national team, a job Flick has allegedly always dreamed about, now seemed the ideal moment to step down from Bayern.
‘The past two years will be unforgettable for me’
Despite the unfavorable circumstances, Flick’s time at Bayern Munich has been remarkable to say the least.
From initially starting out as an assistant to Niko Kovac, he replaced the Croatian as the manager in November 2019 and oversaw a stunning upturn in fortunes.
The Bavarians won the Bundesliga, Champions League, and DFL-Pokal last season alone. They’ve since added a UEFA Super Cup, German Super Cup, and a FIFA Club World Cup to their haul.
Another Bundesliga title could also be on their way before the season ends.
Flick, meanwhile, boasts a win rate of 81.93% with a record of 68 wins, eight draws, and seven defeats in 83 matches.
“The past two years will be unforgettable for me,” said the former midfielder in a statement.
“I really enjoyed the emotions, the victories, the titles, but also the daily work on the pitch – it was an outstanding time.
“Success can only be achieved together! A coach is nothing without his team and I was lucky enough to meet fantastic players here in Munich and a staff and a team of coaches that did incredible things. Thank you guys, thank you Kathleen [Kruger]!
“Special thanks also go to President Herbert Hainer, as well as to the entire board of directors around Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Oliver Kahn, and Hasan Salihamidzic for giving me the opportunity to train this great team.
“One downer remains: We weren’t able to celebrate the greatest successes during this time with the fans. I’ve missed them in every game.
“I wish the FC Bayern family the very best for the future. It is not an empty phrase when I say: ‘It was a very great honor for me’”
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about Hans-Dieter Flick
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
