Bayern Munich defender David Alaba has heaped praise on interim manager Hans-Dieter Flick, stating the squad are comfortable working under the new boss following the 6-1 victory over Werder Bremen on Saturday.
Die Roten’s two previous league outings ended in defeats to Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach, yet Philippe Coutinho’s hat trick inspired a victory that will have helped banish the memories of those losses.
Coming just three days after Flick guided Bayern to a 3-1 Champions League win over Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham, defender Alaba says the players are demonstrating an understanding of their manager’s methods.
The Austrian explained, speaking with AZ: “We feel very comfortable. You can see his philosophy very well in our game.”
Flick had been named manager ‘until further notice’ when he replaced Niko Kovac in early November and the club’s hierarchy will assess their options during the upcoming winter break.
Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel and Erik ten Hag have all been linked with the Allianz Arena vacancy in recent weeks, yet victory over Freiburg and Wolfsburg before the winter break begins will do no harm to Flick’s chances of earning the role on a full-time basis.
Bayern currently sit fourth in the Bundesliga and two victories could help them close the gap on RB Leipzig, Monchengladbach and Borussia Dortmund.
Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic was keen to reinforce that the board will take the players’ opinions into account but added those in charge will ultimately have the final say on Bayern’s next permanent manager.
The Bosnian stated: “Naturally we will look closely at how we work, at how the coach works, and how the players react. But of course we are going to decide that. Sure, the players wish that, but in the end, we have the last word.”
Considering that player unrest was ultimately a key part in Kovac’s demise, Salihamidzic might want to pay special attention to the sentiment of his players before making a decision.
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