Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick said Saturday he had told the team and club bosses that he wanted to leave the German champions at the end of the season despite his contract running until 2023.
The former Germany assistant coach, who initially took over on an interim basis in November 2019, led the club to a spectacular winning run that earned them six domestic and international titles in the following months, including the Champions League and the club World Cup crown.
He is the only Bayern coach ever to win six titles in a season and among the world's most successful given his short spell at the club.
Flick said this after his team's 3-2 victory over VfL Wolfsburg.
The 56-year old had been at odds with sports director Hasan Salihamdizic in recent months with the coach reportedly wanting a greater say in the club's transfer policy.
Flick has been under noticeable strain in recent weeks with tensions running high between him and Bayern sports director Hasan Salihamidzic
Posted by Sports Tribune on Thursday, 15 April 2021
Club president Herbert Hainer said earlier this week he was certain Flick would be staying at Bayern.
Long seen as the frontrunner to succeed Joachim Loew as Germany coach after the European Championship in June and July, Flick, who was Loew's assistant when Germany won the 2014 World Cup, said his future had not yet been decided.
The news of Flick's departure was not totally unexpected but Bayern captain Manuel Neuer said it was still something the team would need to take in.
The Bavarians, who were eliminated by Paris Saint Germain last week in the Champions League quarter-finals, are seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table with five games remaining, on course for a record-extending ninth consecutive league crown.