Bayern Munich has parted ways with head coach Niko Kovac after the following the 5-1 thrashing by Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday in the Bundesliga.

Bayern Munich is currently fourth on the Bundesliga table, four points behind the leaders Borussia Monchengladbach after 10 games, Kovac spent 16 months with the Bundesliga Champions before the sack.Announcing the decision, CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said: “The performance of our team in recent weeks and the results have shown us that there was a need for action.”Uli Hoeness (president), Hasan Salihamidzic (sporting director) and I had an open and serious conversation with Niko on this basis on Sunday with the consensual result that Niko is no longer coach of FC Bayern.

“We all regret this development. I would like to thank Niko Kovac on behalf of FC Bayern for his work, especially for winning the double last season.”Salihamidzic added: “I now expect a positive development from our players and absolute motivation to achieve our goals for this season.”Kovac won the Bundesliga, the DFB Cup and the Super Cup, Kovac will be replaced by his assistant Hans Flick on an interim basis while Bayern search for a permanent replacement.