Hansi Flick to leave Bayern Munich at season end to replace Low as Germany Coach – Lothar Matthaus
By Saheed Afolabi
Lothar Matthaus has confirmed that Bayern Munich manager, Hansi Flick will resume as head coach of Germany at the end of the season by taking over from Joachim Low.
Hansi Flick took over from Niko Kovac in November 2019 and have steered Bayern Munich to six trophies in 18 months.
Joachim Low announced last month that he will step down as the coach of Germany and Hansi Flick has been the likely successor to the post.
Speaking to Sky in Germany, Matthaus believes that Bayern’s Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain will persuade Flick to be the one to take over from Low.
“I already said two weeks ago that in my opinion, this is Hansi Flick’s last season,” he said. “I’ve said that Hansi Flick is right at the top of the DFB [German Football Federation] list, and then nothing else for a long time. There’s an offer from the DFB, yes.
“So, they want Hansi Flick and I think – or rather, I’m convinced – that Hansi Flick will no longer be Bayern coach after this season.
“That means the last game against Augsburg at home will be Hansi Flick’s last game as head coach of Bayern.”
According to former defender Matthaus, Bayern are already planning for Flick’s successor, with RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann identified as the man they want to come in.
“Munich have already chatted a bit with [Julian] Nagelsmann, including about financial matters,” defender Matthaus added.
“Before the start of this season, Flick said that the coach should have a vote on new signings, which I think is right. As a coach, what am I going to do with players who I perhaps don’t want?
“I think it’s got too much for Hansi, and then the offer, the opportunity is there to become Jogi Low’s successor.”
However, Nagelsmann dismissed all speculation at a press conference on Wednesday, claiming he intends to respect his deal with RB Leipzig.
“There were and there are no talks with FC Bayern,” he said. “I have no idea where Lothar got this information from. This of course also applies to my agents, there were no talks.
“I have not spoken to the club because there will be nothing to discuss. I still have a contract with RB until 2023.”
