Ajax coach Erik ten Hag on Monday ruled himself out of the running to take over as Bayern Munich coach for the time being, saying he would be staying at the Dutch champions until at least the end of the current season.
Ten Hag reportedly is high on the list to take Kovac’s place after Ajax’s scintillating run to the Champions League semi-finals last season and their impressive start to this campaign.
He was Bayern’s reserves coach from 2013-15 under Pep Guardiola, but told reporters on Monday he would not be tempted to return to Bavaria just yet.
Asked at Stamford Bridge whether he would be staying at Ajax, he said “I can confirm that.”
“I have a strong connection with my team, with everyone at Ajax, so I can confirm that I stay in Ajax this season,” said the 49-year-old.
However Ten Hag, who is under contract at Ajax until 2022, refused to entirely rule out an eventual move.
“Bayern is a fantastic club, I felt really comfortable and really enjoyed to work there and they are still in my heart but now I’m in Ajax,” he said.
“I’m not a dreamer, I focus on Ajax, and that is important. I live for today and my only focus is on Ajax.”
bayern coach in 3 weeks
Munich: Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness says the German giants will take their time to find Niko Kovac’s successor, but expects them to be able to name a new head coach within three weeks.
Kovac was sacked on Sunday after 16 months in charge in the wake of Bayern’s 5-1 drubbing at Eintracht Frankfurt.
Kovac’s assistant coach Hansi Flick has been named interim boss.
Hoeness says Bayern’s senior figures will “think calmly about how to handle” finding a new head coach with a decision expected to be made during the forthcoming international break.
“I think that by the time the next away game comes around in Duesseldorf (on November 23), we’ll know how the coach’s issue has been resolved,” Hoeness added.
According to Sky Germany, PSG coach Tuchel, who has a contract until 2021, has been approached by Bayern, but has already ruled out an immediate switch.
While, Ajax coach Erik ten Hag, one of the early favourites having coached Bayern reserves from 2013-15, has also announced he will not leave the Dutch side before the end of the season.
Massimiliano Allegri, Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger, who are all currently without a club, have been mentioned as possible candidates.
Flick, Joachim Loew’s assistant coach when Germany won the 2014 World Cup, will be in charge at least for Bayern’s home matches today in the Champions League against Olympiakos and on Saturday in a crunch Bundesliga match against Borussia Dortmund.