July 21, 2020 - Former Croatia national team coach and ex Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac has been appointed the coach of AS Monaco FC.

Index.hr reports that the press conference lasted more than an hour, at which Niko Kovac was presented as a new man on the bench of the Ligue 1 club.

In the beginning, Kovac greeted those present in French and said briefly that they would try to teach him the language as soon as possible. He then continued in English, and due to the continuous translation, the press conference dragged on for more than an hour.

"The call surprised me, everything went fast and that's why I am speaking English. The reason is simple - Monaco is a big club with a great tradition. The last few years have not been so successful and our goal is to bring the club back to the top of the league," he said and answered questions from the journalists.

How will you improve the team and what needs to be added to the team?

"Every coach has his own philosophy, and in the past, I've played and worked in clubs like Eintracht and Bayern that are very different in style. We have to adapt, see the players we have, and then decide on the right tactics that can help the team."

How well do you know the French league?

"French football is very successful, especially the national team. Some of the best players in the world play or have played in this league. I have to improve my knowledge of all the clubs, but above all, look at my team."

How did the first contact with the players go?

"The first contact was very, very good. The first training was very intense, and yesterday and today we did a great job. It will take time, we have five weeks to improve and I am sure we will find the right solutions to improve the team."

The club has changed four coaches in 18 months. Are you afraid of that?

"No."

Who will be in your professional staff?

"My brother Robert, a former world-class player, will be in the professional staff, because I need a close person I trust. Goran Lackovic is a Croat with whom I worked in the Croatian youth and senior national team, and Austrian Walter Greffer is responsible for strength and fitness. The staff is small but strong and well known, I believe it will be a significant tool for this team."

Have you heard from Danijel Subasic?

"I know Suba, he played here I think seven years and did a great job. I think he started in the second league and immediately in the first season, they secured promotion. We haven't heard from each other, I think he's in Croatia and he's preparing for a new job. I'll call him, but first Dado Prsa - I played with him, he is a great person and lives near Monaco."

What is the training center for you? Do you have any requirements?

"I'm very happy because this training center smells like hard work. That's how it is and I like it. We visited it right away on Sunday and I said I really like it because it's not glamorous, but small but great to work with. For me, it's the best atmosphere we can have."

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November 4, 2019 - Niko Kovac is no longer the coach of Bayern Munich, which was confirmed the Bavarian Club on its official website on Sunday.

The former Croatia national team coach was ruled out after the heavy defeat Bayern suffered on Saturday against Eintracht Frankfurt, when they lost 5-1.

The leaders of the Bavarian giant, President Uli Hoeness, executive chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and sports director Hasan Salihamidzic, agreed to relieve Kovac by mutual consent. 

“The performances of our team in recent weeks and the results have shown us that there was a need for action. Uli Hoeneß, Hasan Salihamidzic and I had an open and serious discussion with Niko this Sunday based on that and came to the mutual decision that Niko is no longer head coach of FC Bayern. We all regret this development. I would like to thank Niko Kovac on behalf of FC Bayern for his work, particularly for last season’s double win," Rummenigge said.

For now, assistant coach Hans Flick will be in charge of first-team training ahead of the important games against Olympiakos in the Champions League and Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. 

Niko Kovac took over Bayern in April 2018, replacing Jupp Heynckes - though he already on the verge of being fired in the first season.

Bayern had a poor start to the season and after 15 rounds, was already nine points behind Borussia, which seemed almost an impossible mission to come back from. Halfway through the season, Borussia was six points ahead, and after 20 rounds they were up by seven. However, only four rounds later, Bayern closed the gap and both teams had 54 points after 24 rounds.

Borussia then suffered a major crisis and achieved only one win with two draws and a defeat from the 20-24th rounds, while the Bavarians booked four victories. In perhaps the most pivotal game of the season, Bayern crushed Borussia 5-0 and made a crucial step on the road to a record 29th Bundesliga title.

Niko Kovac eventually celebrated the title and also won the German Cup, while in the Champions League, Bayern lost in the round of 16 to the soon-to-be European champion Liverpool.

Bayern has not been convincing this season and is currently ranked fourth with 18 points, which is four less than Borussia Moenchengladbach.

"My brother Robert and I would like to thank FC Bayern for these past 18 months. During that time, our team won the Bundesliga, the DFB Cup, and the Supercup. It was a good time. I wish the club and the team all the very best," said Kovac after the announcement.

Kovac led the Bavarian club in 65 appearances in all competitions, recording 42 wins, 15 draws, and eight losses.

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August 13, 2019 - Ivan Perišić is a new member of Bayern Munich! 

#FCBayern have signed Croatia international Ivan Perišić. The World Cup runner up will join the club on loan from Inter Milan with immediate effect. #ServusIvan #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/gHJVZtxYOC

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) August 13, 2019

Croatia national team player Ivan Perišić is officially a new player of Bayern Munich. According to German media, Bayern will pay five million euros for a one-year loan for Perišić, with the option of buying his contract at the end of the season for 20 million euros, reports HRT.

Perišić has spent the last four seasons in Inter Milan, collecting 163 appearances with 40 goals scored. 

“I am overjoyed to be in Germany again. Bayern is one of the biggest clubs in Europe. We will attack not only the Bundesliga and the Cup, but also the Champions League,” Perišić said after the signing.

Prior to joining Inter, Perišić had already played in the Bundesliga for a season and a half for Borussia Dortmund, and two and a half seasons for Wolfsburg.

“Ivan will immediately help us with years of international experience. He is technically strong and flexible in the attack. I'm sure he'll fit in quickly because he knows the Bundesliga and our coach very well,” said Bayern Munich sports director Hasan Salihamidžić.

In the Croatia national team jersey, with which he became World Cup finalists in Russia last year, Perišić has so far collected 82 appearances with 23 goals scored.

Recall, the attacking winger of Inter and Croatia missed Friday’s game between Inter and Valencia due to precaution. And it only makes sense, since Bayern turned to Perišić as a backup option after their first-choice, Leroy Sane, was badly injured in his last game for Manchester City after his transfer to Bayern was virtually settled. Instead of going to a new club, Sane is forced to take a break for half of the year.

This transfer news confirms that Perišić is just one of the victims of Inter's new coach Antonio Conte and his major cleanup of the Inter dressing room. 

But while Icardi and Nainggolan are being chased away for their poor character, Ivan Perišić is out thanks to his overpaid salary, which amounts to 8 million euros a year, and because he does not fit into the new Inter concept. Namely, Conte plays in a 3-5-2 system that has no room for wingers like Perišić.

Fortunately for Perišić, Bayern desperately needed a winger after the departure of the legendary Ribéry, and the injuries of Coman and Leroy Sane.

Niko Kovač thinks Ivan is an excellent plan B. He is experienced but not too old (30), proven himself in top football, and although he is a foreigner, he will not need to adapt to a new country, language, and league.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

August 10, 2019 - All signs are pointing to a move back to Bundesliga for Croatian footballer Ivan Perišić. 

Ivan Perišić did not travel with Inter Milan to Saturday’s friendly match against Valencia, so as not to risk injury before moving to Bayern, according to reliable media sources from Italy.

Inter and Bayern have agreed on the details of the loan, which should turn into a transfer at the end of next season. La Gazetta dello Sport and Sky Sport write that Bayern will pay 5 million euros for Perišić’s loan, with another 20 million euros for his contract, reports Index.hr.

The media reported that the big move only needed Perišić’s consent, which just happened. Sky Sport states that it did not occur on Friday when the clubs had already agreed, because he insisted on a transfer, not a loan with an obligation to purchase as the first option would give him more security.

Perišić’s move from Inter, which bought the Croatian representative over four years ago from Wolfsburg for €19 million, will cost Bayern a total of €25 million.

The attacking winger of Inter and the Croatia national team, therefore, will miss Friday’s game due to precaution. And it only makes sense, since Bayern also turned to Perišić as a backup option after their first-choice, Leroy Sane, was badly injured in his last game for Manchester City after his transfer to Bayern was virtually settled. Instead of going to a new club, Sane is forced to take a break for half of the year.

This transfer news confirms that Perišić is just one of the victims of Inter's new coach Antonio Conte and his major cleanup of Inter dressing room. Recall, some key players left already on Friday.

But while Icardi and Nainggolan are being chased away for their weak character, Ivan Perišić is out thanks to his overpaid salary, which amounts to 8 million euros a year, and because he does not fit into the new Inter concept. Namely, the Conte plays in a 3-5-2 system that has no room for wingers like Perišić.

Fortunately for Perišić, Bayern desperately needed a winger after the departure of the legendary Ribéry, injury to Coman and severe injury to Leroy Sane, who was to come as one of the replacements.

Niko Kovač, who led Perišić as the Croatia coach, thinks Ivan is an excellent plan B. He is experienced but not too old (30), proven himself in top football, and although he is a foreigner, he will not need to adapt to a new country, language, and league. For four years (2011-2015), Perišić lived and played in Germany for Borussia Dortmund and Wolfsburg. From there, he moved to Inter for €19 million. He played 163 games for the Milan club, scoring 40 goals and 37 assists. 

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Former Croatia national team coach Niko Kovač did not hide his joy after Bayern Munich defeated Eintracht 5-1 to win the Bundesliga title in the final round, reports Gol.hr on May 18, 2019. 

Just before the final round, Bayern Munich had only two more points than Borussia Dortmund and needed a victory against Eintracht to claim their seventh consecutive Bundesliga title. Borussia faced Mönchengladbach in the last leg and their hope for the title could be secured only if Bayern lost and they won. 

Bayern celebrated 5-1, while Borussia won 2-0, which kept the Bavarian club two points up on Borussia for the title. 

Behind Bayern coach Niko Kovač is a tough season which the media ruthlessly displayed. Kovač had disagreements with his players and was criticized by the club's leaders. At one point, Bayern was nine points behind Borussia Dortmund, but Kovač managed to prevail and eventually win the championship with the ovation of a packed Allianz Arena.

"I believe I will lead Bayern next season. I am confident that I will continue, I have first-hand information, not second-hand," Kovač said after winning.

Niko Kovač is just the second former Bayern player after Franck Beckenbauer to win the Bundesliga title as a player and a coach. 

However, the journey to the top was anything but smooth.

Recall, Bayern had a poor start to the season and after 15 rounds, they were nine points behind Borussia. Then, it seemed an impossible mission to compensate from so far behind. Halfway through the season, Borussia was up six points, and after 20 rounds, seven. However, only four rounds later, Bayern caught up, and both teams had 54 points after the 24th round. 

Borussia then went into crisis, and from the 20th to the 24th round, they secured just one win, two draws and one defeat, while Bayern managed four wins in a row. In the key match of the season, Bayern crushed Borussia 5-0 and made a significant step on the road to the record 29th championship title.

"It was not an easy season, I think we all saw it," said Kovač, before adding:

"We were nine points behind; however, what the team did after all the criticisms shows the quality of these players.”

Kovač commented on the ovations of fans who chanted his name.

"The fans sang my name? Of course, I am happy; I'm a man of blood and flesh," Kovač concluded. 

This is Kovač’s second trophy at the helm of Bayern after winning the Superkup at the start of the season with a 5-0 win against Eintracht. On May 25, Bayern will play in the Cup final against RB Leipzig.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

A nice gesture from the current Bundesliga champions to their loyal Croatian supporters. 

The current Bayern Munich coach was named the best coach of last year, according to Bild.

While Niko Kovač took his team to the title of the German Cup, the real hero of the match was another Croatian - the phenomenal Ante Rebić who scored two goals against Bayern Munich. 

Kovač’s salary at Bayern Munich would surpass that of Slaven Bilić, former manager of West Ham, who earned a million euro less at the English club. 

Bayern Munich confirmed the news on the official website of the club!