Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has given Hansi Flick another ringing endorsement, likening the club's interim coach to Louis van Gaal, Jupp Heynckes and Pep Guardiola.

Since being promoted from assistant coach following Niko Kovac's dismissal on 3 November 2019, Flick has steered Bayern from fourth to top of the Bundesliga standings, taking 31 points from a possible 39. The 55-year-old's side also progressed to the UEFA Champions League knockouts with a perfect record, and are through to the DFB Cup quarter-finals.

"For many years now, FC Bayern have stood for possession, dominance on the ball, a strong positional game and lots of goals," Rummenigge told Germany's leading sports specialist magazine, kicker. "Hansi Flick has brought that philosophy back to the team.

"Tactically, the team is like it was under Louis van Gaal, Jupp Heynckes or Pep Guardiola. Flick is key to that. He has a clear game plan, a very good connection with the players, and deals with the press very well."

In December, Bayern confirmed that Flick will remain in charge until the end of the season at least.

Heynckes, who had four spells in the Bayern dugout - winning a 2012/13 treble before coming out of retirement to steady the ship and claim his fourth Bundesliga title as coach in 2017/18 - believes Germany's former 2014 FIFA World Cup-winning assistant more than deserves the full-time job.

"Hansi Flick is predestined for the job as Bayern head coach, and is the ideal man for the position beyond the 2019/20 season," he told Welt am Sonntag in early February. "He's very modest. He wouldn't change if he won three Champions League titles. He can build a new era at the club."

Watch: How Hansi Flick masterminded a debut Klassiker win over Borussia Dortmund

Want more Bundesliga Action?

GET THE UPDATES!

Bayern have won a record-extending seven successive Bundesliga titles, with Heynckes claiming two and Guardiola three before once each for Carlo Ancelotti and Kovac. An eighth would be an unprecedented achievement - the club's 29th overall, and potentially the first of many for Flick.

There's also the matter of a successful DFB Cup defence - holders Bayern travel to Schalke on 3 March - and the Champions League. The record German champions - competition winners under Heynckes in 2012/13 - face Chelsea in the last-16 in a repeat of the 2011/12 final, which they lost on penalties at their Allianz Arena. The first leg takes place at Stamford Bridge on 25 February.

"Our goal is to reach the quarter-finals," Rummenigge told media on Monday. "The coach will have something up his sleeve. We're well prepared and know what to expect."

About the clubs

FC Bayern München

Allianz Arena