Niko and Robert Kovac’s farewell message to FC Bayern Munich’s staff

When Niko Kovac went through the morning routine on Sunday, he did not know that he would tender his resignation by the afternoon. That abrupt turn of events followed a frank conversation with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Uli Hoeness, and Hasan Salihamidzic. In light of the abruptness of his departure, Kovac took the step of writing a message on his and his brother Robert’s behalf to the many people at Bayern Munich who supported them. Bild obtained a copy of the email, which we present below in English translation:

Dear associates of FC Bayern,

You have certainly already heard the news: our time as coach/assistant coach of our club is at an end. Since it is difficult to say goodbye personally to over 1000 colleagues, and we would like to give the team the necessary peace and concentration before the two important games against Olympiacos Piraeus and Borussia Dortmund, we have chosen this way by email.

We say “Dankeschön” from the bottom of our heart. You all have welcomed me and my brother warmly at Säbener Straße, were always there for us, and constantly supported us during this time, wherever we needed help.

We thank you all for many personal encounters and conversations. Winning the championship, the DFB-Pokal, and the Supercup together will remain a pleasant memory for all of us.

To all of you personally, to the club, and to our team, we wish all the very, very best!

We naturally will continue to follow FC Bayern as fans!

All the best, and cordial greetings,

Niko and Robert Kovac

Bild notes that the message was not sent to the players, but the message above obviously is not addressed to the team itself. Given Kovac’s candor and upright conduct, it would not surprise me in the least if he sent the team a separate farewell message that Bild’s source on Bayern’s staff did not receive.