‘He can play anywhere in the world’: Former Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac feels David Alaba could thrive outside of Germany after full-back revealed he can ‘imagine’ himself playing somewhere else
- David Alaba’s Bayern Munich contract is up for expiry in the summer of 2021
- He has not ruled out departing for a fresh challenge leading to talk on his future
- Niko Kovac, who used to manage him at Bayern, feels he can ‘play anywhere’
With question marks over the long-term future of David Alaba at Bayern Munich, his former boss Niko Kovac believes he ‘can play anywhere in the world’.
Alaba has previously revealed that he is open to one day leaving the German champions and Kovac feels the ability of the 27-year-old makes him ready-made to step into any top-tier team.
‘David can play anywhere in the world,’ Kovac told ServusTV. ‘But he ultimately has to make that decision himself.
David Alaba has the ability to excel ‘anywhere in the world’ according to his former manager
Ex-Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac feels ‘you can achieve another boost’ following a transfer
‘I can only say from my own experience that if you go somewhere else, you can achieve another boost.’
Real Madrid, Manchester United and Arsenal have all been credited with an interest in the Austrian in recent seasons but have had no joy in acquiring him.
Alaba’s current deal at the Allianz Arena is due for expiry in 2021 and so a change of club could arrive in the summer should no fresh terms arrive, or be agreed.
Kovac (middle) worked with Alaba (left) before he was axed after a slow start to the season
He is versatile and is considered one of the finest in his position in world football having emerged through the ranks at 17 with Bayern. Alaba has made more than 350 appearances for the club since securing his spot in the first team in 2011.
Alaba is part of the Bayern team that face Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday.
He is one of the remaining Bayern players who lost to the Blues in the 2012 Champions League final.
A suspension ruled him out for the final but he will be keen to avenge for that painful loss in Munich in the last-16 first-leg in what is their first meeting since the final.
As for Kovac, he was sacked after a slow start to the season and his successor, Hansi Flick, will be in the dugout at Stamford Bridge. While Kovac is yet to take a new job, he admits he is ready to return.
‘I am ready to go where I feel valued and where I feel that something can happen.’
Alaba has been integral to the German side’s success, having made his debut there aged 17