Following Saturday’s 5-1 drubbing away at Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern Munich relieved Niko Kovac of his duties.
His departure may seem a bit harsh, although he leaves Bayern in fourth position, as they are still are only four points off top spot and have a 100% record in the Champions League, including a 7-2 away win at Spurs.
Kovac guided Bayern to a domestic double in his first season in charge last year but it seems that recent results have been too inconsistent for Bayern's board, with five wins, three draws and two losses this season.
So Kovac is gone and one of Europe’s biggest clubs are looking for a new manager, so who are the bookies saying will be the new man at the Allianz? We’ve had a look into Paddy Power’s odds.
Jose heads the betting
It’s probably no surprise to see Jose Mourinho at the head of the betting for a major European club - the Portuguese is the 4/5 favourite to join the German champions.
It’s easy to see why Mourinho tops the betting, he’s a big name who’s out of a job, meaning the appointment would be easy enough to make during the season. Throw into the mix that he has never managed in the Bundesliga, so it could be a challenge he may thrive upon.
Mourinho often is finding himself at the top of the market for major European jobs but the 56 year old has recently stressed his desire to manage in the Premier League. He may, of course, prefer to wait to see if something in England comes up, whether that be Arsenal, Spurs or Everton.
Mourinho, however, may not be in that position and since being sacked from Manchester United, has quite clearly become desperate for work and if Bayern come calling, he may not be able to turn it down.
The return of Arsene Wenger?
Another familiar name follows Mourinho in the betting and that is former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who Paddy Power make 3/1 to become the new Munich gaffer.
Wenger has been out of work since leaving Arsenal but has revealed he’s turned down numerous jobs offers, perhaps waiting for the right club. He’s also ruled out managing in the Premier League and Bayern could be just what’s looking for.
Munich’s club values of youth development and a possession-based style of play would suit Wenger, with those values being something he became known for when at Arsenal.
One major problem for Wenger, however, is age. The Frenchman has recently just turned 70 and Bayern may be wanting to appoint someone younger. Kovac, who was 47 when he took the job, replaced the 74-year-old Jupp Heynckes.
Massimiliano Allegri in contention
Massimiliano Allegri, like Wenger and Mourinho, is also out of work, which would again mean an easy enough appointment for Bayern.
The Italian left Juventus at the end of last season, after five years, in which he won the league in each season and a domestic cup on four occasions, a no doubt minimum expectation at Bayern.
There will be slight concern over his Champions League record though, having lost in the final twice but he has shown he at least has the know how to reach the final.
At 3/1, there is some value in the Italian.
The outside shouts
A younger option could be 54-year-old Hansi Flick, who is a 14/1 shot to replace Kovac. The German has been appointed the interim manager whilst the club looks for a long-term replacement, however, if he hits the ground running, he could easily make that position his own.
There has also been calls to reappoint club legend Jupp Heynckes but now in his mid 70’s, such an appointment looks unlikely, hence his hefty odds of 33/1.
Next Bayern Munich manager odds
All odds have been taken from Paddy Power and are subject to change.
- Jose Mourinho – 4/5
- Massimiliano Allegri – 3/1
- Arsene Wenger – 3/1
- Erik Ten Hag – 6/1
- Ralf Rangnick– 10/1
- Hansi Flick– 14/1
- Henk Ten Cate – 14/1
