Former Bayern Munich assistant coach Miroslav Klose charts his own course

Few footballers have earned the worldwide admiration and respect that former Bayern Munich player and coach Miroslav Klose has. Klose achieved the pinnacle of success on his own terms, and he will now be approaching his coaching dreams the same way.

Here at BFW we have followed his post playing career closely, as he took on responsibility for our U-17 side, turned down a promotion within Bayern Munich’s youth system and last served as an assistant coach under Hansi Flick. There was a great deal of speculation when he left Bayern that he would follow Flick to help coach the German national side. Instead it appears that his career is heading in a different direction.

A few months ago rumours circulated that Klose was in line for a head coaching position. But when it didn’t come to pass we heard the unfortunate news that he was suffering from thrombosis issues in both legs. In a recent interview with kicker, Klose shared the good news that he is made a full recovery and has been given medical clearance to return to all sports including tennis, football and running.

In the same interview he revealed that he had been offered a position by Hansi Flick shortly after his new position as the Bundestrainer was confirmed. Klose turned down the offer, not wanting to play second fiddle but rather feeling he was ready to take the lead role.

“I wanted to stand on my own two feet,” Klose said. “Even though I’m sure it would have been a very good time with Flick, it was clear to me that I wanted to go my own way and instill a team with its own DNA. I want to be on the pitch every day.”

Klose has clearly used his time since retiring from play in 2016 to develop a philosophy of football and a vision of how to coach a team to success. He is full of “fire and enthusiasm” to share his ideas with his own squad and the wider world. Hard work was the key to his success as a player and he is looking forward to applying his work ethic to the coaching field so he can climb the ladder of success “rung by rung, from the very bottom to the very top.”

Whichever club makes him their head coach will be getting a man of utmost integrity and intelligence who will give them everything he has to better their side. We’ll be watching for his hire closely, and can’t wait to see where he lands and what he does with his first head coaching opportunity at the top level.