'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgf/2gAIAQEAAAAAng//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAAH//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAEDEAAAAEf/xAAhEAACAQIGAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgQDEwAFBhESIUFxov/aAAgBAQABPwCHrjNLvBI8CnSWNdCCmzBevAJ9YravqXX5QYDNud2Mbs/WP//EABkRAAMAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwASMf/aAAgBAgEBPwB5os9gB3P/xAAZEQACAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgADIkH/2gAIAQMBAT8Ao2xDcn//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Bayern Munich have finally decided to sack Niko Kovac after a string of disappointing results. Now the race is on for his successor.
Kovac started well in Bavaria, guiding the German giants to the double of the league and cup last term - thus becoming the first player and manager to achieve that. But things have turned sour this season, and cracks in his system have started to emerge.
The last straw was the 5-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, as a result of which he was relieved of duty.
Who will be Kovac's successor at Bayern? Here are the five most likely candidates to take up the job:
5. Ralf Rangnick
Any Bayern manager would have to be very vigilant, considering he'd be the boss of the largest club in Germany. But Ralf Rangnick is well aware of how it feels to be a target for rival sides, having led RB Leipzig into the Bundesliga.
Rangnick has an exceptional record at RB Leipzig and can also boast a German Cup win with Schalke. Currently the head of sport for the Red Bull group of clubs in New York and Brazil with a focus on exploring new talents, he would be keen to take up a job like the one at Bayern.
4. Arsene Wenger
For over a year now Wenger has been out of football, but he has spoken over and over again about his desire of returning.
While directorial roles have been talked about, a few coaching gigs would be on the radar of the Frenchman. Wenger would be the biggest fish in the sea that is the Bundesliga were he to take the job following years of fending off the highest paying clubs in England.
During a 22-year tenure as Arsenal manager Wenger earned a great deal of recognition throughout the sport. He won three Premier League titles and lifted seven FA Cups, firmly establishing himself in the annals of history.
Despite being over 70, Wenger could still be a decent short-term solution to Munich's problems.
Also check out: Bundesliga schedule Champions League table Champions league top scorers
3. Erik ten Hag
At the end of the last season Ajax manager Ten Hag was linked with a return to the German side, and he declined to rule out the possibility of returning to the Allianz Arena. Ten Hag managed the second team of Bayern between 2013 and 2015, and he still has a large number of friends in Germany.
The 49-year-old Dutchman has won many honours, leading Ajax to the Eredivisie title last season and to the Champions League semifinals. Such a resume will surely cater to Bayern, for it has been six years since their most recent UCL win.
2. Massimiliano Allegri
At the conclusion of the 2018-19 season, while explaining his unexpected departure from Juventus, Allegri had stated he planned to take a short break from football. But he could be tempted to end his hiatus if Bayern come knocking.
The Italian has an outstanding resume in Italy, leading AC Milan to their most recent league title back in 2011, only to leave for current Italian champions and eight consecutive Serie A winners, Juventus.
Allegri, who is known for his mobility and strategic knowledge, has a proven record of getting the best out of high-profile names. Football fans would remember the explosion of goals from Ibrahimovic and Robinho in 2011.
The 52-year-old would certainly be an expert helmsman at a time when Bayern are looking to stabilize the ship after a unexpected capsizing at the start of the season.
1. Jose Mourinho
Since Jose Mourinho's departure from Manchester United, there have been a handful of clubs linked with trying to lure him. First there was talk of a Real Madrid return, then several sources claimed he was a target for Arsenal. Now the latest side to emerge as a contender is Bayern Munich.
The Special One was effective everywhere, and after leaving Manchester United he made no secret of his appetite for managing a club again. Underdogs at the time, Porto and Inter Milan both won the Champions League under Mourinho's stewardship, and the German champions could surely use such a man.
The Portuguese has won trophies and awards in Austria, Scotland, Italy and Spain, but Germany is one of the top countries which Mourinho hasn't conquered yet. By letting Lyon know he had already chosen his next club, he passed up the opportunity to try out the French championship. However, the Bavarian side would be difficult to turn down.
