Bayern Munich manager Niko Kovac on brink of sack after ‘slapstick’ defending

BAYERN MUNICH manager Niko Kovac is on the brink of the sack after another poor result for his side.

The German champions led relegation-threatened Fortuna 3-1 with just 13 minutes to play thanks to Niklas Sule's opener and a double from Thomas Muller.

But Dodi Lukebakio scored his side's second after 77 minutes and completed his hat-trick in the third minute of injury time to snatch a point.

It means the reigning Bundesliga champions are fifth in the league and trail unbeaten leaders Borussia Dortmund by nine points after just 12 games.

Midfielder Leon Goretzka, like Kovac, joined Bayern Munich in the summer but could barely believe his eyes.

He said: "That's surreal. I feel like I'm in a bad movie."

And Bayern president Uli Hoeness - who gave Kovac the dreaded vote of confidence last month - told discussions need to be had with Kovac over his future in charge and the state of the defence.

Hoeness said: "Today is a tough day for us. There is a need for discussion internally.

"What I've seen on the first goal, I know only from slapstick movies."

Bayern are without a league win since October 20 but Kovac's saving grace so far has been the Champions League.

His side top Group E, unbeaten from four games, ahead of Ajax, Benfica and AEK Athens.

And they welcome the Portuguese club to Bavaria on Tuesday night for what could be the Croat's last game in charge despite only taking the reins in July on a three-year contract.

Hoeness added: "On Tuesday our coach will certainly be Niko Kovac."

But whether he is in the dugout for the trip to Werder Bremen on Saturday afternoon remains to be seen.

A win is an absolute necessity on Tuesday and it may keep the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss in charge for another week.

But he must inspire a major turnaround if he wants to be at the Allianz Arena for much longer.