BERLIN — Bayern Munich’s vacant coaching position is the big talking point leading up to its Bundesliga clash with Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern fired coach Niko Kovac on Sunday, a day after the side’s heaviest Bundesliga defeat in more than 10 years, and Arsene Wenger was initially seen as the front-runner to replace him.
However, media reports on Thursday suggested Bayern had decided against the former Arsenal manager.
German daily Bild quoted a club official as saying: "Arsene Wenger rang (club chairman) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on Wednesday afternoon and signalled his interest in the coaching job at Bayern. Bayern holds Arsene Wenger in high regard for his work as Arsenal coach, but he is not an option as Bayern Munich coach."
Wenger had told beIN Sports on Wednesday that he had not yet talked to the club, but said there was interest.
"I have not decided yet if I will go back on the pitch. I’m quite happy at what I do (but) I miss the pitch as well," Wenger said. "It’s a difficult decision for me at the moment, and I will make that decision in the coming days or the coming week."
Hansi Flick, Germany coach Joachim Löw’s former assistant, has the reins at Bayern for now. He helped the team book a place in the Champions League knockout stages with an unspectacular 2-0 win over Olympiakos on Wednesday, and will remain in charge for Dortmund’s visit on Saturday.
Bayern sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic declined to confirm contact with Wenger, and said he would not confirm dealing with other candidates.
Former Leipzig coach and sporting director Ralf Rangnick and Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel both reportedly declined the club, while Ajax coach Erik ten Hag ruled himself out of a midseason switch.
"I can confirm that I will stay at Ajax this season. I feel a connection with the players and many people in the club," ten Hag said.
Salihamidzic said Bayern would take its time on making a decision.
Whoever the club appoints will have to pick up a team clearly not playing to the strength of its individual qualities. Bayern’s 5-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt last Saturday was preceded by lacklustre performances against second-division Bochum in the German Cup, promoted Union Berlin in the league, and in the first game against Olympiakos in the Champions League.
Bayern has already conceded more goals in the Bundesliga than Union. It’s the side’s worst defensive record since 2008 when Jurgen Klinsmann was coach.
"It’s not a huge surprise what happened," Bayern captain Manuel Neuer said of the defeat in Frankfurt.
Bayern will be without the suspended Jerome Boateng for Dortmund’s visit, while fellow defenders Niklas Sule and Lucas Hernandez are out with injuries.
Dortmund arrives for Saturday’s "klassiker" full of confidence after coming from two goals down to beat Inter Milan 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday. It was the side’s third consecutive win.
Buoyant fans chanted to their team, "Pull Bayern’s leather trousers down!"
But Dortmund, which is sweating on the fitness of forwards Jadon Sancho and Marco Reus, has lost its last five games in Munich, the last four by a heavy margin.
"We’re ready for the clasico," Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said.
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