Report: Bayern Munich decide against Arsenal Wenger as next manager

Published on: 07 November 2019

Gab Marcotti says Niko Kovac fell short of Bayern Munich's "high standards" and was let go as a result.

Bayern Munich have said that former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is not an option to take over at the German club.

According to German outlet Bild, Wenger reached out to Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to discuss the position but that the club would pursue other candidates.

"Arsene Wenger called Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on Wednesday afternoon and signalled his fundamental interest in the position at Bayern. FC Bayern highly value Arsene Wenger's work at Arsenal, but he is not an option to become head coach at FC Bayern," the club told Bild.

Sources had told ESPN FC that Wenger would talk to the club about a return to management. 

Bayern dismissed Niko Kovac on Sunday after a string of bad results and uneasy mix of stagnation on the pitch and conflicts off it. Kovac took over at Bayern in 2018 after a spell in charge of Eintracht Frankfurt.

Hansi Flick, a former assistant of Joachim Low with the Germany national team, was appointed on a caretaker basis. He led the team to a 2-0 win over Olympiakos in Champions League group stage action on Wednesday. 

Among other names linked to the job have been Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel, Ajax boss Erik ten Hag, and ex-RB Leipzig manager Ralf Rangnick.  All three have stated that they would not take the Bayern position.

When asked about other candidates on Tuesday, Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said: "I won't talk about any names."

Wenger told BeIN Sports on Wednesday that: "I'd never refuse to talk to Bayern Munich, because I know the people who have led the club for 30 years and I was nearly going to Bayern a long, long time ago. That's all I can say."

Wenger, 70, has been out of work since ending his 22-year reign at Arsenal in 2018.

Former Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has also been linked but ESPN FC reported last month that he would take a sabbatical from management this season.

ESPN FC's Germany correspondent Stephan Uersfeld contributed to this story.

Source: espn.co.uk

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