By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Looking at the exuberant atmosphere in the Munich arena one can get the impression things have turned to good for Niko Kovac at the end of a season characterized by many differing sentiments.
But what does Bayern Munich's seventh consecutive national title mean for the future of the 47-year-old who has been under fire over the last weeks?
The former Croatian national coach hasn't yet crossed the finish line. Doubts remain if he still has the chance to keep his job as Bayern's head coach after next week's 2019 German Cup final against RB Leipzig.
Kovac is the second one in the club's history having won the national title as a player and a coach after the German legend Franz Beckenbauer. But does that secure his future and help him to fulfil his until 2021 valid contract?
Why do Bayern's leaders still avoid a clear commitment for their coach after Kovac's team managed to recapture the top spot in the Bundesliga? Back in November, the Bavarians found themselves nine points behind their rivals Borussia Dortmund.
Despite Kovac having achieved an impressive turnaround in the national league, he failed to address the clubs demands when it comes to their international performance. Bayern's early exit in the Champions League in the last-16 round against Liverpool FC and their German coach Juergen Klopp is still causing significant disappointment.
Former Bayern sports director Matthias Sammer tried to explain the club leaders' reluctance regarding Kovac. Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, president Uli Hoeness and sports director Hasan Salihamidzic can't back Kovac at this stage of the season the former German international underlined.
"What would happen if you only end up second in the Championship and lose the German Cup final? You can hardly survive that as Bayern's coach," Sammer emphasized. It might change the situation "if you win the title and the Cup," the 51-year-old said.
Reports speak of Rummenigge and Hoeness having differing opinions on Kovac after Rummenigge opened fire on Kovac in a TV show several weeks ago announcing the coach's future is in doubt. Now the 67-year-old is blamed for having opened a harmful and needless discussion.
Bayern now has to answer vital questions. Their replies will decide over Kovac's future.
Is the former midfielder the right man to give the newly formed team the necessary stability and structure to lead them to a better future in international football as the Bavarian side intends to secure its position as a powerhouse of European football?
Can Kovac improve his players performance and keep the locker room under control and repair the damaged relationship to several performers?
Bayern still seems in the middle of a controversial debate about their coach. Having won the 2019 title might be the first step for Kovac to keep his job, but it is far from having delivered a final answer about his future.
