Coaching issue endangering Bayern's season aims: Robben

Bayern Munich striker Arjen Robben has urged his club's leaders not to endanger themselves by delaying a decision on the new coach.

"Topics like the unsolved case of the new coach and contract extensions of players are not helpful when it comes to the decisive games in April," the 34-year-old Dutch commented.

He said that the team and their current coach Jupp Heynckes need to concentrate on football, as this is the only thing that counts. "In April the decision is made if we are successful or not," the forward stressed.

Bayern is facing crucial games shortly, as the Bavarians are facing Borussia Dortmund this Saturday in the Bundesliga's top game and five-time Europa League winner FC Sevilla in the first leg of the quarterfinal of the Champions League next Tuesday.

The semifinal of the German cup against Bayer Leverkusen and a possible semifinal in the Champions League take place in April as well.

A decision about Heynckes' successor should be made soon, Robben said. The 72-year-old 2013 treble-winning coach has told the club he will depart after this season.

Bayern's leaders failed in their attempt to convince former Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel to take over the Bavarian side for the 2018-19 season.

The 44-year-old told Bayern he has already agreed on a contract with a big European club. Since then, speculations have grown about Tuchel's future and Bayern's problems finding a suitable coaching solution.

While Tuchel is said to be in contact with Paris St Germain and the Premier League clubs FC Chelsea and Arsenal FC, Bayern is supposed to be considering collaboration with Ralph Hasenhuettl (RB Leipzig), former Bayern midfielder Nico Kovac (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Lucien Favre (Nice).

Bayern is accused of having waited too long to make a decision about Tuchel, who waited over six months for Bayern's approval to start final negotiations, despite having told the Bavarians he would be willing to take over.

As rumors swirl about possible interest from Bayern in Liverpool's Juergen Klopp's agent, Marc Kosicke told the football online platform "Sport 1" that his client would be a perfect match for the Bavarians, but currently has a valid contract with Liverpool.

Kosicke admitted that Klopp has "often" been the object of desire in the past. "He is under contract until 2022, and I don't think his work is finished yet," he said.

Speaking about Bayern's long-standing interest in the former Dortmund coach, Kosicke said it seemed the time was never quite right.

"I have to say that Bayern was often an option. And Juergen knows Uli Hoeness very well. But it was never the right time, and nothing definite came of it."

Despite strong Bayern connections, Klopp could end his coaching career without having coached Bayern. To take over Bayern would seem to not be in the cards at present. Everything has to fit when you take over a top side in Europe, Kosice emphasized.

On the subject of another client Hoffenheim's Julian Nagelsmann, Kosicke said that he "was convinced that one day he will coach Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund or Arsenal, but not just yet."

30-year-old Nagelsmann was said to be among the candidates eyed by Bayern.

While Bayern is looking for a new coach, Robben expressed disappointment about his future, and says that as of now, no decision has been made. "Sadly enough there is no decision yet," the Dutch stated. Robben told German TV he would meanwhile consider retiring if he did not end up getting a new contract in Munich.

The new Bayern coach is said to have yet to decide about Robben's future, and that of 34-year-old French winger Franck Ribery. Both said they are ready to stay another year in Munich.