Munich (Germany) (AFP)

Bayern Munich extended the contract of its coach Hansi Flick until 2023, which had put the team back on the road to success after having replaced Niko Kovac, suddenly dismissed, in a very short time.

"Bayern are very satisfied with Hansi Flick's work," said club boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, quoted in club press release announcing new contract, "team has grown well with him, playing football attractive and that is reflected in the results. "

In a few weeks, this discreet 55-year-old technician was able to restore confidence in a group that seemed disoriented in the fall. Relying on a few key men, both old-timers like Thomas Müller and young talents like Alphonso Davies, he brought the "Rekordmeister" to the top of the Bundesliga, where he was four points ahead of Dortmund in moment of interruption after the 25th day, and qualified for the semi-finals of the German Cup.

The highlight of this return to the fore was the prestigious 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea in the knockout stages of the Champions League. The return match is postponed due to the coronavirus crisis, but Bayern are in an ultra-favorable position to qualify.

- Human qualities -

Flick was Kovac's assistant when he took over the team after the Croatian ouster.

Former Joachim Löw assistant for the national team, he had never coached a first division team alone, but his human touch and his tactical skills quickly won him the support of the locker room.

"I appreciate the way he leads the team, his human qualities convinced me, and his empathy speaks for itself," added Rummenigge on Friday.

First appointed for two matches, then extended until the end of the year break, he was then offered a contract until the end of the current season.

Negotiations for the extension of his contract were no secret.

Flick negotiated with Rummenigge, but also with sports director Hasan Salihamidzic and with Oliver Kahn, appointed to succeed Rummenigge at the head of the club on December 31, 2021.

"Together we have set the goals for the years to come," said Flick, "I am sure we will succeed."

"For FC Bayern, it is important that the coach also understands the philosophy of the club," said Oliver Kahn, "Hansi has played for us, he has been an assistant coach, and now he becomes a head coach over time ( ...) Hansi knows the mentality of the club, he knows the requirement for permanent success. "

Four times German champion (1986, 1987, 1989, 1990) as a player with Bayern, Flick then turned to the profession of coach. After having officiated in lower divisions, he was on the triumphant adventure of the German team, world champion in Brazil in 2014, as assistant to Joachim Löw.

He then took up duties further from the field, before returning to his basic profession in the summer of 2019, joining Bayern as assistant to Niko Kovac.

© 2020 AFP