Report: Bayern Munich assumes Hansi Flick would be happy to take Germany job, but will try to retain its manager

Per a report from Sport1, the management team at Bayern Munich thinks that Hansi Flick is willing to move on to the German national team, but is confident that it can retain the sextuple-winning coach because his contract ends in 2023 and does not contain an exit clause.

Sport1 also noted that there has been no formal contact from Flick or DFB director Oliver Bierhoff to engage in any discussions with Bayern Munich over a release of the 56-year-old trainer:

According to SPORT1 information, (Flick) has also not yet approached Bayern. National team director Oliver Bierhoff has also not yet approached the Bavarians. That could change soon, because the DFB would like to present Löw’s successor before the European Championship in the summer.

SPORT1 has learned that Bierhoff wants to take his time in the search for a coach and think through several options for the national team coach. In the near future, he plans a direct exchange with candidates and various Bundesliga managers. Flick is and remains the DFB’s preferred candidate for the national coach position. FC Bayern assumes that he would be happy to take on the job, provided he is available.

The natural question is, “Would Bayern Munich consider letting Flick go under any circumstance before his contract ends?”

The answer — if true — might surprise you:

According to SPORT1 information, Flick will only receive the release for the DFB, provided, in turn, the Bavarians find a successor for the sextuple coach. Co-coach Miroslav Klose, who will complete his soccer coaching license in a few weeks, is not an option.

Julian Nagelsmann, on the other hand, is. However, like Flick, he has a contract at RB Leipzig until 2023. Bayern would have to pay a transfer fee for the 33-year-old native of Upper Bavaria — and Leipzig would also be forced to find a Nagelsmann successor in the coming weeks.

Sport1, however, also indicates that Bayern Munich wants to do everything it can to retain Flick and keep him happy. Per Sport1’s sources, Flick has a strong commitment to — and sense of loyalty for — Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Trust, loyalty, quality, and fun are what Flick considers integral to success at any managerial position.

“Trust and loyalty are one strand. Quality has to be there — and we have enough of that at FC Bayern. And in the end, it has to be fun. These things are there,” Flick said in response to Sport1’s question at his Friday press conference.

That statement would seem to indicate that Flick is happy in Bavaria. The area of quality, however, is put under the microscope by Sport1, who insinuated that Flick is losing or has lost several players that he has placed high value on. Specifically mentioned were Thiago Alcantara (left for Liverpool), David Alaba (leaving), and Jerome Boateng (allegedly leaving).

One other theme that related to “quality” was Flick’s input into transfers. Simply put, Flick wants more power:

The Alaba departure in particular gnaws at Flick — and apart from Leroy Sané, hardly any new summer additions play a role. The squad has grown in width this season, but lost in quality. Flick publicly wanted the right to veto transfers. So far, he has not received it.

As for fun, well, you can guess where this one is going.

Flick and sporting director Hasan “Brazzo” Salihamidzic are both professional and work together, but Sport1 says the duo “often has disagreements, especially on personnel issues.” The “rift” between the two is known and “accepted” within the club.

As for the DFB, should Flick not be released from his deal, there are two in-house candidates that could get the call — on a temporary basis: Löw’s assistant Marcus Sorg and current U-21 coach Stefan Kuntz. Should the DFB select either of those two options, the assumption is that they would stay on until Flick’s contract ends — which would also allow Bayern Munich to bring in Nagelsmann for free.

What happens from here is anyone’s guess, but it is safe to assume that this story is not close to being over.