BERLIN, April 13 (Xinhua) -- Eintracht Frankfurt's Niko Kovac will replace Bayern Munich's head coach Jupp Heynckes for the upcoming season, the German champions confirmed in an official press release on Friday.
"Niko played at Bayern and knows those responsibilitiesas well as the structures and the DNA of the club very well. We are therefore convinced that he is the right coach for the future," Bayern's sporting director Hasan Salimhamidzic said via the club's official homepage.
Kovac will replace Heynckes, who took the reins on an interim basis after the dismissal of former coach Carlo Ancelotti back in September 2017.
The 46-year-old Kovac took over at the "Eagles" in March 2016 and led the club out of the Bundesliga doldrums. He was able to steer Eintracht Frankfurt to fifth in Bundesliga standings, challenging for a UEFA Champions League place.
Frankfurt can still win a title this season as Kovac's men clash with Schalke in the German Cup semi finals on Wednesday.
Kovac's current assistant coach, and brother Robert Kovac will join Bayern as well. Both already know the club, as they were players there. Niko played for the Bavarians from 2001 until 2003 whereas Robert played from 2001 until 2005.
Bayern Munich defended the Bundesliga title for the sixth time in row and clinched their 28th German championship with a 4-1 comeback victory over Augsburg on Saturday.
Nevertheless, Heyncke's men still have the chance to round off the season with more than just one title, as Bayern meet Bayer Leverkusen in the German Cup before they host Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on April 25.
