The former Bayern and Inter star threw his support behind the incoming coach, highlighting some of his better qualities
Bayern Munich have made an excellent choice in hiring Niko Kovac as next season’s coach, going by Lothar Matthaus’ assessment of him.
Kovac was given a three-year deal to take the helm of Bayern beginning from next season after an impressive stint in charge of Eintracht Frankfurt.
Thomas Tuchel was among those linked with the job at Bayern, where Jupp Heynckes has enjoyed another successful spell, and president Uli Hoeness admitted that Kovac was actually third choice behind the two.
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However, Matthaus was happy to see Kovac appointed, saying the Croatian had shown he had the skills to succeed at Bayern.
“[Kovac] has experience, he was a very good player and was the captain of the Croatia national team,” he told Omnisport.
“Bayern was looking for a German-speaking coach who is in this position and Niko Kovac has done a very good job in the last two and a half years in Frankfurt.
“He built this team from close to the second league to a Champions League place in the Bundesliga.
“He has charisma, he has passion, he knows about football. He was a leader as a player and is showing this as a coach too.”
The ex-Bayern, Inter and Germany star is not the first to praise Kovac since the news was announced.
His predecessor, Heynckes, says he saw Kovac as an “innovative” coach who was “predestined” to coach the club.
“He does [his job] excellently, so for sure he is predestined to become coach of Bayern Munich,” he said.
“He has made a very good and positive impression on me. Above all, he is very diligent. That is not always the case.
“He is innovative. He is a coach who loves football and who maintains good communication with his players. I think Bayern Munich made a good choice.”
