Bayern prepare to defend league lead

Spotlight will be on coach Flick as many assume he will take over German national team

BERLIN:

Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick has been the talk of the town this week, even though the German champions have not played a game in 10 days.

Spain's 6-0 demolition of Germany in the Nations League on Tuesday has turned Flick into a potential successor to Germany coach Joachim Loew if he quits.

While it is unlikely that Loew, in charge for 14 years, will leave right away, it is hardly surprising that his assistant from 2006-2014 should be linked with the job.

The Bayern coach has enjoyed a sensational first year in charge, winning five titles in 2020, including the Champions League and a domestic double, after taking over last November from NikoKovac.

In his first Bundesliga appointment as head coach he has had more success than experienced predecessors like Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, neither of whom managed to bring the Champions League trophy to Munich.

When the Bavarians take on Werder Bremen on Saturday it will be Flick's 50th game in charge in all competitions. The 55-year-old already boasts an eye-popping managerial record at the club of 45 wins, one draw and three losses.

Few would bet against Bayern defending their domestic league title, and it is no wonder German fans want him at the helm of a national team struggling since their shock 2018 World Cup first-round elimination and two straight Nations League group stage exits.

Bayern, chasing a ninth consecutive Bundesliga title, are on 18 points, two ahead of second-placed RB Leipzig and three in front of Borussia Dortmund, whom they beat 3-2 on the previous matchday.

With an average of 3.3 goals per game in the league under Flick, Bayern will be looking for all three points against visitors Werder with the pair playing a record 109th Bundesliga match against each other.

Top striker Robert Lewandowski, with 11 goals in eight league games so far, is in sensational form, and Germany internationals Manuel Neuer, Niklas Suele, Leon Goretzka, Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry will be desperate to put the Spain fiasco behind them as quickly as possible.