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Bayern Munich Reportedly Considering Arsene Wenger as Niko Kovac Replacement
November 26, 2018
Bayern Munich are reportedly considering former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger as a potential candidate to replace Niko Kovac in the manager's hot seat.
According to Bild (h/t Sport Witness), with Kovac's side sitting nine points behind Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga, Wenger's "name is increasingly used internally by Bayern" as they consider their options.
The Frenchman's man-management skills and experience handling dressing rooms containing several star players is said to be one of his main appeals to the Bavarian outfit.
Wenger is also fluent in German, so there would be no language barrier hindering his ability to communicate with the dressing room.
Sport Witness shared Bild's story on Twitter:
Bayern were held to a 3-3 draw by Fortuna Dusseldorf on Saturday, and they have not won in the Bundesliga since October 27.
Their poor form has left them fifth in the Bundesliga, with a goal difference of just six.
Kovac is under pressure as a result, though football writer Jonathan Harding believes the club should stick with him:
If they do pull the trigger, there are few replacements they could recruit with more top-level experience than Wenger.
The 69-year-old left Arsenal this year having joined the club in 1996. He delivered three league titles and seven FA Cups during that time, as well as UEFA Champions League qualification 20 years running.
However, his team's performance notably declined in his final years as they failed to finish in the Premier League's top four, let alone muster a title challenge.
Arsenal defender Rob Holding believes the Gunners have improved since he was replaced by Unai Emery, per journalist and commentator Alex Crook:
Wenger wasn't demanding enough of his players on the training ground or on the pitch, and Bayern were a side that repeatedly capitalised on their fragility as they handed out several thrashings to them in the Champions League.
Things might be different in new surroundings, though. While there are issues to address in Bayern's squad—such as the ageing Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, who are 34 and 35, respectively—Wenger would be inheriting a talented team stacked with serial winners.
The Frenchman has expressed a desire to return to management from January. If he's unwilling to make his return to the game before the New Year, Kovac may have that long to turn things around at the Allianz Arena.