"Philippe Coutinho has blossomed under Hansi Flick" - Bayern Munich U17s coach Miroslav Klose
Bayern Munich interim coach Hansi Flick is getting the best out of Barcelona loanee Philippe Coutinho, according to the club's U17s boss Miroslav Klose.
Coutinho, 27, registered two goals and four assists in his first 13 competitive appearances for Bayern under former coach Niko Kovac.
In his nine outings since Flick's appointment in a temporary capacity at the start of November 2019, the Brazil international has scored five and provided three.
"Hansi is the full package," Klose told SportBild, having played under Flick when the 54-year-old was Germany head coach Joachim Löw's assistant, winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
"He understands the tactical side very well, and takes everyone on board. He's someone you like to play under. Coutinho is a great example of that - he's blossomed."
Watch: How Philippe Coutinho gives Bayern Munich the X-Factor
Klose offered further insight into Flick's modus operandi: "He demands a lot, but gives you freedom. He puts you on a longer leash, and gives only a few instructions.
"The players at Bayern are so experienced, they can handle it."
The 41-year-old says he also sees a lot of himself in Flick.
"Hansi can be a tough cookie when he wants to," Klose explained. "I have that in common with him. I have this image of not being too hard on my players, but you ask them... if anyone's caught slacking, I come down on them like a ton of bricks - just like Hansi.
"He can be loud, but not ratty or insulting. He addresses things in a good but serious manner."
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Klose worked as part of Löw's coaching team with Germany before being appointed Bayern U17s coach in summer 2018, but is best known for his goal-scoring exploits as a player.
The Poland-born striker hit a record 71 goals in 137 games for Germany and is the all-time leading scorer at World Cup finals with 16 goals spread over four tournaments.
He also enjoyed a Bundesliga career that yielded 121 goals in 307 appearances in spells with Kaiserslautern, Werder Bremen and Bayern, and helped himself to 63 goals in 171 outings during a five-year stint in Italy with Lazio.
Although Klose only hung up his boots in November 2016, he believes the mindset of players nowadays is not necessarily what he was accustomed to in his heyday.
"I'm quite critical of today's players," he admitted. "For me, a player should not just be judged on how he performs on the pitch, but what he does off it, too.
"Kids these days are often too comfortable. They want a fun workout, but are not always willing to suffer and work hard. A lot of talent is one thing, but willingness and the right attitude are decisive. It can drive you mad, when you see how much talent there is."
Klose guided Bayern's U17s to the Bundesliga championship play-offs in his first season at the helm. His young charges are currently third in the 2019/20 B-Junioren Bundesliga Süd, three points behind leaders Mainz.
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