A Pandemic-fueled look into the future for 2020-2021: Bayern Munich's manager
Let's get this out of the way: I've been on the #StickWithFlick Train from the early going. I have been a huge fan of the way Hansi Flick has stabilized Bayern Munich and drawn the most from his roster through communication, dedication, and innovation. Early in his tenure, Flick examined the roster, looked at his injury situation, and got creative to find a way to best maximize the potential of the parts he was working with.
It was a BRILLIANT plan.
By deploying David Alaba at center-back, Alphonso Davies at left-back, pushing Benjamin Pavard to right-back permanently (even though Joshua Kimmich's move to central midfield was in the early stages when Flick took over), and ensuring that Thomas Muller was no longer holding his breath to see if he was in the XI, Flick defined roles, provided structure, and reaped the rewards of consistently good results.
Some of what Flick has done seems so simple, but the solutions evaded good managers like Carlo Ancelotti and Niko Kovac. Even with those personnel changes and other tactical adjustments, Flick's biggest impact is that he has both commanded respect and provided good communication to his roster. The delivery of his message has been soft enough to sooth the big egos in the locker room, but stern enough to coax the maximum effort from his squad.
That balancing act is not easy...in fact, you could attribute the failures of Ancelotti and Kovac to not being able to master what Flick seeming has as part of his coaching DNA.
Even with all of that, this is still Bayern Munich and if there is even an ounce of doubt within the organization about Flick's ability to carry this momentum into the future, the club will almost certainly look to a laundry list of quality managers who are champing at the bit for an opportunity to manage on Sabener Strasse.
One thing that you have to give Flick is that he has coached with instinct and guts, but another is that he has handled dealing with his bosses the same way. Disagree on personnel with Brazzo? Then just start to leak who you prefer via transfer and publicly state that a coach should have input in the transfer market.
If Flick is going to stay with Bayern, it is likely going to be on his terms --- or at least enough of his terms to make the situation advantageous to him. Simply put, the guy has balls.
Should be back: 10/10
Will he be back: 8/10
That's our series. We hope you enjoyed it...
