Niko Kovač

Niko Kovač
Kovač in 2009
Personal information
Date of birth (1971-10-15) 15 October 1971
Place of birth Berlin-Wedding, West Berlin, West Germany
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position Central midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Bayern Munich (manager)
Youth career
1987–1989 Rapide Wedding
1989–1990 Hertha Zehlendorf
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1990–1991 Hertha Zehlendorf 25 (7)
1991 Hertha BSC II 12 (1)
1992–1996 Hertha BSC 148 (15)
1996–1999 Bayer Leverkusen 77 (8)
1999–2001 Hamburger SV 55 (12)
2001–2003 Bayern Munich 34 (3)
2003–2006 Hertha BSC 75 (8)
2006–2009 Red Bull Salzburg 65 (9)
Total 491 (63)
National team
1996–2008 Croatia 83 (14)
Teams managed
2009–2011 Red Bull Salzburg (academy)
2012–2013 Croatia U21
2013–2015 Croatia
2016–2018 Eintracht Frankfurt
2018– Bayern Munich
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Niko Kovač (Croatian pronunciation: [nǐːko kǒʋaːtʃ, - kô-];[1][2] born 15 October 1971) is a Croatian former footballer and current manager of Bayern Munich.

Kovač was the long-standing captain of the Croatia national team until his retirement from international football in January 2009. A defensive midfielder who was known for his excellent passing and tackling skills, Kovač was, at the time of his retirement, the oldest player in the Croatian squad and had captained them at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2008. He has also enjoyed a high level of top club action, having spent most of his club career in the German Bundesliga, including spells with Hertha BSC, Bayer Leverkusen, Hamburger SV and Bayern Munich.

He ended his playing career with Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg, where he then took the non-playing role of the reserve team coach and eventually became assistant manager under team manager Ricardo Moniz. In January 2013, Kovač took over the Croatia national under-21 team and in October 2013 he took over the Croatia senior team following the dismissal of Igor Štimac. Kovač managed Croatia at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, then became head coach of Eintracht Frankfurt in 2016, winning the 2018 DFB-Pokal Final with the club.

Club career

Early career (1987–1996)

Kovač started training football as eight year old at local club Rapide Wedding.[3][4] Afterwards he began playing at Hertha Zehlendorf and soon became a member of their first team. He moved to Hertha BSC in the summer of 1991 and started his professional career with the club that competed in the 2. Bundesliga at the time.[4] During his youth, Kovač in parallel with football practiced judo, earning the blue belt. After finishing high school (gymnasium), he continued his education at the Free University of Berlin. He pursued a degree in business studies while playing for Hertha BSC. After eight semesters, he left university when he secured a contract with Bayer Leverkusen.[4][5]

Bayer Leverkusen (1996–1999)

In the summer of 1996, Kovač left Hertha, still a 2. Bundesliga side at the time, for Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. He made his Bundesliga debut on 17 August 1996, appearing as a half-time substitute in the club's opening match of the 1996–97 season, a 4–2 home victory over Borussia Dortmund. He appeared in 32 Bundesliga matches in his first season with Leverkusen, also scoring three goals. However, he mostly played as a substitute in the following two seasons and missed several matches in the 1997–98 season after sustaining an injury in the club's home match against VfB Stuttgart in December 1997. In three seasons with Bayer Leverkusen, Kovač made 77 Bundesliga appearances and scored eight goals in league competition. At the club, he was teammates with his younger brother Robert for the first time in his professional career.

Hamburger SV (1999–2001)

Kovač joined Hamburger SV in the summer of 1999 and spent two seasons with the club, making 55 Bundesliga appearances and scoring 12 goals in the Bundesliga.[6] In the summer of 2001, he joined Bayern Munich, where he was once again teammates with his younger brother Robert.

Bayern Munich (2001–2003)

However, Kovač did not manage to establish himself as a regular at the club and left Bayern for a second stint with Hertha BSC after two seasons in the summer of 2003. He appeared in 34 Bundesliga matches and scored three goals for Bayern in the league.

Hertha BSC (2003–2006)

Kovač then signed for Hertha again. He made 75 Bundesliga appearances for Hertha and scored eight goals for the club in the league.

Red Bull Salzburg (2006–2009)

After the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Kovač left Hertha after three seasons for Austrian Bundesliga side Red Bull Salzburg. He was a regular in the Salzburg team and also appeared in all of their four UEFA Champions League qualifiers in the summer of 2006. On 26 August 2006, he scored his first goal for Red Bull Salzburg in the Bundesliga, netting the second goal in their 4–0 home victory over Wacker Tirol. He signed one more year until summer 2009 in May 2008. On 29 May 2009, Kovač left after three years with Red Bull and retired from professional football. He played his last match for Red Bull in a friendly against former club Bayern Munich; he was substituted off after the first 15 minutes.[7]

International career

Kovač made his senior international debut in Croatia's friendly match against Morocco on 11 December 1996 in Casablanca.[8] He subsequently also appeared in three qualifying matches for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, but missed the finals in France because he did not fully recover from injury until the beginning of the preparations for the tournament. He was subsequently not part of the national team for two years before making his comeback in a friendly match against France in November 1999.

At international level, Kovač played for Croatia in five qualifying matches for the 2002 World Cup and scored one goal in Croatia's 4–0 victory away against San Marino. At the final tournament, he appeared as a starting player in all three group matches before Croatia was eliminated from the tournament with a third-place finish in their group. He was also a regular in UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying, making seven appearances and scoring two goals in away matches, the 1–0 winner against Estonia and the opening goal in the team's 3–0 victory over Andorra. He also played the entire three group matches played by the Croatian team at the final Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal and scored the opening goal in the final group match against England. However, Croatia lost the match 4–2 and was once again eliminated from the tournament as the third-placed nation in its group.

After Euro 2004, Kovač became the Croatia national team's captain and led the team through the qualifying campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals in Germany. He appeared in nine of ten qualifying matches and scored two goals, both in Croatia's 4–0 victory over Iceland at home in Zagreb. At the final tournament, he appeared in all three of Croatia's group matches, despite sustaining an injury which forced him to leave the pitch after 40 minutes of the team's opening match against Brazil. Kovač scored the goal that put Croatia 2–1 up in the final group match against Australia.[9] However, the match ended in a 2–2 draw and Croatia was eliminated by virtue of finishing third in the group. This was the third consecutive time this had happened in a major tournament.

Euro 2008 was a bittersweet campaign for captain Kovač. His sterling performances against Germany and Turkey ultimately unrewarded in what could prove to be his last major tournament. Against Germany, he was peerless, producing a man of the match display alongside Luka Modrić whilst against Turkey, he reduced his opponents to pot shots from distance as they rarely broke through his screening protection of the back four. Before and after that game, Kovač reiterated his intention to retire from international football at the end of Euro 2008, however, after conversation with Slaven Bilić, it would seem he feels there is "unfinished business" to take care of.

Kovač finally announced his international retirement on 7 January 2009, stating a desire that younger players should be given experience in the Croatia side.

Coaching career

Red Bull Salzburg (2009–2011)

During Red Bull Salzburg match as assistant coach

After his retirement from professional football, Kovač became coach of the second squad of FC Red Bull Salzburg, Red Bull Juniors, from 16 June 2009[10] to 7 April 2011.[11] In the 2009–10 season, he finished in sixth place[12] and were knocked out in the Austrian Cup in the second round in a shootout.[13] He was with the second team until 7 April 2011.[11] His final match was a 1–1 draw against SV Seekirchen.[14] In 2011, he was promoted to being assistant coach of the first squad[15] together with Ricardo Moniz as head coach. After Moniz resigned as a first-team coach in June 2012, Kovač was one of the favourites for taking his position. However, the position went to Roger Schmidt and Kovač subsequently left Salzburg.

Croatia (2013–2015)

Under-21

On 21 January 2013, Igor Štimac, head coach of the Croatia national team, announced that Kovač, alongside his brother Robert as assistant coach, would take over as the under-21 team head coach.[16] His task was to qualify for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championships. Croatia were drawn in Group 5 of the qualifying competition, together with Switzerland, Ukraine, Latvia and Liechtenstein. In the first four games Croatia got the maximum of 12 points with a goal difference of 13–0. He debuted with a 5–0 away win against Liechtenstein, before he brought two away wins against the group favourites Ukraine and Switzerland.

Senior

On 16 October 2013, Davor Šuker, president of the Croatian Football Federation (CFF), announced that Niko Kovač would take over as caretaker manager of the Croatia senior team.[17] He replaced Štimac, who was sacked after Croatia scraped into the World Cup playoffs having taken only one point from their last four qualifiers. However, one day later, in an inaugural press conference, Šuker stated the CFF signed a two-year contract with Kovač and his staff including his brother Robert Kovač, Vatroslav Mihačić and Goran Lacković, until the end of Croatia's Euro 2016 campaign.[18] His first two matches for Croatia were in the World Cup playoffs against Iceland.[19] Croatia managed to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil after winning the play-off tie against Iceland 2–0 on aggregate.[19][20] At the World Cup, Croatia won one game and lost two.[21] Croatia didn't qualify from their group. On 9 September 2015, CFF terminated Kovač's contract.[22] Croatia had lost 2–0 to Norway.[23]

Eintracht Frankfurt (2016–2018)

Kovač was appointed as the head coach of Eintracht Frankfurt on 8 March 2016.[24] He made his managerial debut for Frankfurt in a 3–0 loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach.[25] The club was only able to finish the season in 16th place, requiring them to play in the relegation play-offs against 1. FC Nürnberg.[26] After drawing the first leg 1–1 at home,[27] Kovač ensured Eintracht's survival in the Bundesliga after Haris Seferović's goal won the second leg 1–0.[28] Kovač for his gesture of comforting Nürnberg's players after defeat received Fair Play Prize by DOSB.[29]

In the 2016–17 season, Frankfurt managed to finish mid-table in 11th position, as well notably reaching the 2017 DFB-Pokal Final, club's first final since 2006, where Frankfurt lost 1–2 against Borussia Dortmund.[30] In the 2017–18 season, Frankfurt have competed for a place in European competition for the following season.[31][32] Kovač has typically used a 3–4–2–1 formation with emphasis on defensive stability and wing play.[33][34] He took Frankfurt to the 2018 DFB-Pokal Final, the second in succession for the club, where he beat his future employer, Bayern Munich. With that win, Kovač led Frankfurt to its first title since 1988.[35][36] He finished with a record of 38 wins, 20 draws, and 33 losses in 91 matches.[37]

Bayern Munich (2018–)

On 13 April 2018, Bayern Munich announced that Kovač would succeed Jupp Heynckes as manager of the club for the 2018–19 season, with a three-year contract lasting until 30 June 2021.[31] Kovač's brother, Robert, will follow him to Munich to be his assistant coach.[38] Kovač's had a contract with Frankfurt until 30 June 2018. The release clause in the contract is reported to be around €2.2 million and Bayern had to pay the release clause in order to sign Kovač as manager.[31] Kovač is just the fourth former player to manage Bayern Munich after Søren Lerby, Franz Beckenbauer and Jürgen Klinsmann.[39] Kovač will be the third Croat to manage Bayern Munich after Zlatko Čajkovski and Branko Zebec.[39] Kovač officially took over on 1 July 2018[31][40] and was presented as the new manager of Bayern Munich on 2 July 2018.[41]

Players returned for pre–season training on 2 July 2018.[42] On 12 August 2018, Kovač won his first match as manager of Bayern 5–0 in the German Super Cup against Eintracht Frankfurt.[43] He won his first Bundesliga game in charge as Bayern defeated 1899 Hoffenheim 3–1 at home on 25 August.[44]

Personal life

Kovač was born on 15 October 1971 in Berlin-Wedding, West Berlin, to a Croatian family hailing from Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina. His parents Mato and Ivka emigrated from SFR Yugoslavia in 1970. He has two younger siblings, brother Robert and sister Nikolina.[3][4]. Kovač is also a German national and therefore he was eligible to represent Germany, Croatia and Bosnia at international level.[45]

Kovač is married to his wife Kristina since 1999, and they had known each other since primary school. They have a daughter Laura.[3] Kovač is a Roman Catholic. He generally lives a quiet family life, and considers a family of great value and tries to convey that to his players.[5][46]

Career statistics

Club

ClubSeasonLeagueCup1Continental2Other3Total
LeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Hertha BSC1991–922. Bundesliga Nord2000—100120
1992–932. Bundesliga42130—451
1993–9432100321
1994–9531210322
1995–963111203311
Totals1381560—10015415
Bayer Leverkusen1996–97Bundesliga32310—333
1997–98181317010292
1998–99274104020344
Totals7785111030969
Hamburger SV1999–2000Bundesliga30810—318
2000–01254109110365
Totals55122091106713
Bayern Munich2001–02Bundesliga162314030263
2002–03181402110252
Totals343716140515
Hertha BSC2003–04Bundesliga1713010—211
2004–0530410—314
2005–06283314010364
Totals758715010889
Red Bull Salzburg2006–07Austrian Bundesliga2861060—356
2007–08253—40293
2008–091200030150
Totals65910130—799
Career totals4445528344219053560
Source:[47]

International goals

Goal Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 29 March 2000 Maksimir, Zagreb  Germany
1 – 1
1 – 1
 Friendly
2 5 September 2001 Olimpico, Serravalle  San Marino
1 – 0
4 – 0
 World Cup 2002 Qualifying
3 8 May 2002 PMFC, Pécs  Hungary
2 – 0
2 – 0
 Friendly
4 11 June 2003 A. Le Coq Arena, Tallinn  Estonia
1 – 0
1 – 0
 Euro 2004 Qualifying
5 6 September 2003 Comunal, Aixovall  Andorra
1 – 0
3 – 0
6 21 June 2004 Estádio da Luz, Lisbon  England
1 – 0
2 – 4
 Euro 2004
7–8 26 March 2005 Maksimir, Zagreb  Iceland
1 – 0
4 – 0
 World Cup 2006 Qualifying
3 – 0
9 22 June 2006 Gottlieb-Daimler, Stuttgart  Australia
2 – 1
2 – 2
 World Cup 2006
10–11 22 August 2007 Koševo, Sarajevo  Bosnia and Herzegovina
3 – 2
5 – 3
 Friendly
5 – 3
12 24 May 2008 Kantrida, Rijeka  Moldova
1 – 0
1 – 0
13 31 May 2008 Szusza Ferenc, Budapest  Hungary
1 – 0
1 – 1
14 6 September 2008 Maksimir, Zagreb  Kazakhstan
1 – 0
3 – 0
 World Cup 2010 Qualifying

Managerial

As of 6 October 2018
TeamFromToRecord
GWDLWin %Ref.
Red Bull Salzburg (A)16 June 2009[10]7 April 2011[11] 54 25 11 18 046.30 [13][14]
Croatia16 October 2013[17]9 September 2015[22] 19 10 5 4 052.63 [19][21][23]
Eintracht Frankfurt8 March 2016[24]30 June 2018[37] 91 38 20 33 041.76 [37]
Bayern Munich1 July 2018[31]present 11 7 2 2 063.64 [40]
Total 175 80 38 57 045.71 —

Honours

Player

Bayer Leverkusen
Bayern Munich
Red Bull Salzburg

Manager

Eintracht Frankfurt
Bayern Munich

References

  1. ↑ "Nìkola". Hrvatski jezični portal (in Serbo-Croatian). Retrieved 17 March 2018. Níko
  2. ↑ "kòvati". Hrvatski jezični portal (in Serbo-Croatian). Retrieved 17 March 2018. Kòvāč (Kȍvāč)
  3. 1 2 3 Maja Kruhak (2 June 2014). "Nepoznati Svijet Dinastije Kovač 'Niko djeluje hladno, ali on je ustvari emotivno biće'" [Unknown World of Dynasty Kovač 'Niko seems cold, but he is actually emotional being'] (in Serbo-Croatian). Jutarnji list. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Nikola Lipovac (20 October 2013). "Niko Kovač 'Sa 17 godina sam zaigrao u Dinamu, ali sam htio i potpuno odustati od nogometa'" [Niko Kovač 'At age 17 I played in Dinamo, but I also wanted to completely give up football'] (in Serbo-Croatian). Jutarnji list. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  5. 1 2 Cathrin Gilbert (19 April 2017). "Niko Kovac "Da muss doch mehr sein"" [Niko Kovač "There has to be more"] (in German). Die Zeit. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  6. ↑ Arnhold, Matthias (1 June 2018). "Niko Kovač - Matches and Goals in Bundesliga". RSSSF. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  7. ↑ "Torloses Remis zwischen Salzburg und Bayern" (in German). goal.com. 10 July 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2012.
  8. ↑ Mamrud, Roberto (1 June 2018). "Niko Kovac - Goals in International Matches". RSSSF. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  9. ↑ "Croatia v Australia statistics". news.bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. 22 June 2006. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  10. 1 2 "Kovac coacht Junioren" (in German). kicker. 16 June 2009. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 "RB Salzburg (A)/FC Anif » Manager history". World Football. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  12. ↑ "Austria » Erste Liga 2009/2010 » 33. Round". World Football. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  13. 1 2 "RB Salzburg (A)/FC Anif » Fixtures & Results 2009/2010". World Football. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  14. 1 2 "RB Salzburg (A)/FC Anif » Fixtures & Results 2010/2011". World Football. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
  15. ↑ "Niko Kovač". World Football. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
  16. ↑ Štrbinić, Lovro (21 January 2013). "Štimac objavio popis za Južnu Koreju, braća Kovač preuzimaju mladu reprezentaciju" (in Croatian). Sportnet.hr. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  17. 1 2 "Niko Kovac soll Kroatien noch zur WM führen" (in German). kicker. 16 October 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  18. ↑ "Šuker okrznuo Štimca: 'Ne ponovilo se više nikad!'" (in Croatian). dnevnik.hr. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  19. 1 2 3 "Croatia » Fixtures & Results 2013". World Football. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  20. ↑ "Niko Kovac: 'Croatia won't park the bus against Brazil in World Cup'". Guardian. 11 June 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2014.
  21. 1 2 "Croatia » Fixtures & Results 2014". World Football. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  22. 1 2 "Kroatien entlässt die Kovac-Brüder" (in German). kicker. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  23. 1 2 "Croatia » Fixtures & Results 2015". World Football. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  24. 1 2 "Eintracht holt Kovac als Veh-Nachfolger" (in German). kicker. 8 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  25. ↑ "Hradecky beschenkt Gladbachs Sturmduo" (in German). kicker. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  26. ↑ "1. Bundesliga – Spieltag / Tabelle". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  27. ↑ "Gacinovic kontert Russ per Flachschuss" (in German). kicker. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  28. ↑ "Seferovic hält Frankfurt in der Bundesliga" (in German). kicker. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  29. ↑ "Trainer Kovac erhält Fair-Play-Preis vom DOSB" (in German). Spiegel Online. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  30. ↑ "Eintracht Frankfurt 1–2 Borussia Dortmund". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 27 May 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  31. 1 2 3 4 5 "Niko Kovac: Bayern Munich announce Croat will replace Jupp Heynckes". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  32. ↑ "Bayern Munich confirm Niko Kovac as next manager amid Eintracht ire". The Guardian. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  33. ↑ "Niko Kovac: 10 things you didn't know about Bayern's new coach". FourFourTwo. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  34. ↑ Philip Röber (13 April 2018). "What new coach Niko Kovač will bring to Bayern". UEFA. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  35. ↑ "Schalke 0 Eintracht Frankfurt 1: Kovac to face Bayern Munich in DFB-Pokal final". fourfourtwo.com. FourFourTwo. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  36. ↑ "German Cup final: Bayern Munich 1–3 Eintracht Frankfurt". BBC Sports. British Broadcasting Corporation. 19 May 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  37. 1 2 3 "Eintracht Frankfurt". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  38. ↑ "Niko Kovač new FC Bayern coach from 1 July 2018". fcbayern.com. FC Bayern München AG. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  39. 1 2 "Niko Kovac: 10 things on Bayern Munich's new coach". bundesliga.com. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  40. 1 2 "Bayern München". kicker.de (in German). kicker. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  41. ↑ Warmbrunn, Benedikt (2 July 2018). "Kovac zwinkert die Sorgen weg" (in German). Süddeutsche Zeitung. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  42. ↑ "Der Sommerfahrplan der Erstligisten" (in German). kicker. 8 July 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  43. ↑ Lovell, Mark. "David Alaba injury sours Bayern Munich's third straight German Super Cup title". ESPN. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  44. ↑ "Arjen Robben seals opening-day win for Bayern Munich over Hoffenheim". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  45. ↑ "Niko Kovac: 10 things on Bayern Munich's new coach". bundesliga.com. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  46. ↑ "So tickt Bayerns neuer Coach" [That's how Bayern's new coach is ticking] (in German). Bild. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  47. ↑ "Niko Kovač » Club matches". World Football. Retrieved 10 June 2016.
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