By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- According to media reports, Bayern Munich is in danger of losing head coach Hansi Flick at the end of the season.
The 54-year-old former German national team assistant is said to be not amused about sluggish contract talks after the club's president Herbert Hainer announced that he would decide about the future coach as late as in May.
"Appreciation looks different" Flick is said to have commented off-record. "I concentrate on the present tasks and am trying to achieve success in all three competitions," the manager said in advance of the Bavarian's league issue against bottom side SC Paderborn this Saturday.
"If they are convinced, a decision will be made," he added. He refused to comment on the club's intention to start talks with players with a contract running out in 2021.
Flick took over the job as the successor of sacked Niko Kovac in November 2019. In the winter break, the club announced that it would rely on Flick until summer 2020.
The sports magazine Sport-Bild reported Flick had received several offers of other clubs after he had announced not to return to an assistant job.
Former Bayern coaches such as Jupp Heynckes and Ottmar Hitzfeld demanded a quick decision until mid March at the latest. "A club needs to plan the squad for the next season," two times Champions League winner Heynckes said.
Inside information is speaking about Bayern wanting to wait until Flick has proved his skills in international games such as the last-16 round clash with Premier League side Chelsea.
Several media expressed their astonishment, headlining: "Flick delivers, but Bayern is keeping him waiting."
Quarrels came to light in the relationship of Flick and Bayern's sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic with Flick expressing critics about the club's transfer policy. The Bayern coach demanded to increase the squad's quality to be prepared to face this season and future challenges.
Bayern was the first German side gaining victories in all six-group duels and only the sixth club in the competition's history. Ending up with a goal record of plus 19 (24-5), the Bavarians set a new record.
The names of former Borussia Dortmund and current Paris St. Germain coach Thomas Tuchel and Pep Guardiola, former Bayern coach at present in charge of Manchester City, were mentioned as possible Bayern targets. Guardiola meanwhile said he is going to stick to the Citizens despite facing a Champions League ban by UEFA.
Other than Bayern's club leaders are Bayern's footballers in favor of extending the contract of their coach. Several cornerstones said they see the 2013 treble winner ahead of a promising future with Flick around.
The former midfielder won 13 of 16 games as head coach. "If he keeps on winning, there is no other option," club president Hainer commented, but insisted to wait for further progress.
It seems the coach needs to deliver more victories to make Bayern fix a new deal. In the end, it is Bayern risking to lose him when he decides not to wait any longer.
