Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer: "Hansi Flick's done a great job so far"
Manuel Neuer has praised Hansi Flick's "connection" with the players after Bayern Munich confirmed their interim coach will remain in the job until at least the end of the 2019/20 season.
Flick, 54, was placed in temporary charge on 3 November following the departure of Niko Kovac. The record champions have since won eight of their 10 matches in all competitions, climbing a place to third in the Bundesliga - four points behind leaders RB Leipzig - whilst qualifying for the UEFA Champions League last 16 with a 100 per cent winning record.
For club captain and No.1 goalkeeper Neuer, Flick has more than earned the right to continue in the hot seat.
"He has a fantastic connection with the players, he explains things very clearly and deserves to be in charge." Neuer told Germany's leading sports specialist magazine, kicker. "He's a very experienced football man. A Bayern coach needs a certain level of experience. He has to deal with the media, talk to the players and get them on board. Hansi's done a great job so far."
As well as his personable skills, Neuer also shed some light on Flick's tactical acumen.
"We're defending higher up the pitch, running more and we have tighter links between the lines," explained the 33-year-old. "Twenty metres now feels like 10 or 15. The channels are open and the communication between the players is a lot closer and easier. We give ourselves orders. It helps our game, and puts the opposition under pressure."
Bayern's last two matches substantiate Neuer's praise of Germany coach Joachim Löw's 2014 FIFA World Cup-winning former assistant.
The defending champions appeared to be heading for draws against Freiburg and Wolfsburg, only for teenaged super sub Joshua Zirkzee to score with his first touch in the 92nd and 85th minute respectively. Serge Gnabry added the gloss in both games to help send Bayern in at the winter break within touching distance of pacesetters Leipzig.
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Bayern were six points off the pace at the same juncture in 2018/19, but powered back to claim their seventh successive Bundesliga title and 28th overall on the final day. Despite Leipzig's emergence as a genuine Bundesliga force, Neuer is optimistic the defending champions can rise to the challenge once more.
"Leipzig have taken another step forward; they're also through to the Champions League knockouts for the first time, which is a very positive sign. It's a real title race, which isn't going to be decided in March or April. We've had some ups and downs, but of course the objective is to reclaim top spot. We can do it."
Bayern resume their title defence away to Jürgen Klinsmann's Hertha Berlin on 19 January 2020. After meetings with Schalke (h) and Mainz (a) and a DFB Cup round of 16 tie with Hoffenheim (h), Flick's charges host Leipzig on 9 February. English Premier League club Chelsea provide the opposition in the Champions League last 16 (25 February/ 18 March).
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