Bayern his speciality: will this Dortmund star boss it again? | OneFootball

Rebić takes advantage of an early defensive blunder by Bayern, counters Lewandowski's equalizer at halftime with his second goal to regain the lead – in injury time, Gaćinović seals the deal with a 3:1, and Frankfurt crowns itself as the winner of the DFB-Pokal 30 years after their last cup victory. Half of Berlin cheers, and one person can't contain his joy: Niko Kovač.

We can all remember how he, with his Frankfurt team as the underdog, spoiled Bayern's double – and also marked the career end of Jupp Heynckes. This cup victory, for many at the time "the sensation of the season," was above all the glorious happy ending of the love story between Kovač and Eintracht.

The Croatian took over the team from the Main in dire relegation danger, created a remarkable collective without major stars, led them back to more stable positions in the table, and ultimately secured their first major title in ages.

At the then pinnacle of his career, Kovač left the Main metropolis aiming for greater heights.

📸 Alexander Hassenstein - 2018 Getty Images

Who flies high, ...

Perhaps he wanted too much back then. What is clear: His time at Bayern Munich began with a championship and cup victory but ended quickly – and above all, lovelessly.

In his nearly one and a half years at the German record champion, he not only clashed with his defensive, not-at-all Bayern-like style of play, but also seemed not to have practiced dealing with top stars too extensively during the summer break back then.

There were constant rumors that he didn't get along with Hummels, Lewandowski, and others – he also benched fan favorite Thomas Müller and really got himself into trouble with the fans when he publicly discredited him with the statement, "If there's an emergency, he'll get his minutes." Treating Müller like that? The Munich fans didn't find it funny at all.

Overall, he didn't hold back on criticizing the squad and his players when the Croatian compared his team to Liverpool and said: "You can't try to drive 200 km/h on the highway if you can only manage 100. You have to adapt to what you have. We have different types of players. We need to find a good mix." That doesn't sound like a coach who believes in his players.

Yet he had shown in Frankfurt that he was indeed capable of getting more horsepower out of a vehicle than one might initially expect.

In Munich, however, he no longer demonstrated this ability. After a bitter 1:5 defeat against – of course, of all teams – Frankfurt, Kovač was relieved of his duties.

📸 Alexander Hassenstein - 2019 Getty Images

Has the giant-slayer lost his touch?

Did Niko Kovač lose his reputation as a notorious giant-slayer during his time at Bayern? Even in Monaco and finally back in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg, he failed to rediscover the magic surrounding his persona.

That could undoubtedly change in Dortmund. Upon his appointment as BVB coach following Sahin's dismissal, he was initially met with skepticism due to his rather lackluster and unsuccessful recent past, but he has since coached his way into the hearts of BVB fans.

Not without reason: Last year, he achieved the Champions League qualification that many had long written off. With 13 wins out of 20 games, he is currently the most successful BVB coach ever with 2.1 points per Bundesliga game. The start to the current season is the most successful in Dortmund in five years. Additionally, reports suggest he has personally developed: more tactical flexibility, more approachability – and he no longer clashes with stars.

Is Kovač "the one" for BVB?

To finally set himself apart from his predecessors, he needs a victory in today's top match against Bayern. Then he would be the first BVB coach in a long time to not only stand for consistent success but also to be able to take down the big teams in individual games.

Kovač has so far only been on the BVB bench for one German classic (2:2 last season) and now has the chance to close his personal redemption circle. After the cup triumph, he could once again trouble Bayern and show that the boss gene from Frankfurt hasn't vanished into thin air but only temporarily disappeared – and is now back.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 SASCHA SCHUERMANN - AFP or licensors