The Bayern Munich today confirmed that the German-Croatian coach Niko Kovac, currently at Eintracht Frankfurt, will take over from Jupp Heynckes at the end of this season.
"Niko Kovac will be the new Bayern coach starting July 1, 2018. We have reached an agreement for a three-year contract," said Hasan Salihamidzic, through the Twitter account of the Bavarian club.
The news had been advanced today by the popular newspaper "Bild", which affirmed that the president of the Munich club, Uli Hoeness, and that of his board of directors, Karlheinz Rummenigge, have already reached an agreement with the 46-year-old Croatian.
Kovac's contract with Eintracht was valid until June 30, 2019, but had a clause that allowed him to negotiate with his club in the event of an offer from Bayern or two other foreign clubs.
Bayern, who last weekend won the Bundesliga title, aspires to win the German Cup and the Champions League this season under Heynckes' leadership.
Kovac, born in Berlin to Croatian parents, played for Hertha, Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburg and Bayern (2001-2003).
He was the Croatian national team coach and arrived at Eintracht in March 2016, when the team was fighting to avoid relegation.
In 2017, he led them to the final of the German Cup and this season in the Bundesliga he aspires to a place in the Champions League and next week he will play the semi-finals of the Cup.