Bayern Munich name Eintracht Frankfurt's Niko Kovac as successor to Jupp Heynckes

Munich: Bayern Munich has hired Niko Kovac as coach starting next season.
Bayern says the 46-year-old Croat agreed to a three-year contract with the Bundesliga champions starting in July.

Kovac will take over from Jupp Heynckes, who stepped out of retirement to take charge at Bayern last October but has long said he will not continue beyond the end of the season. Bayern's attempts to convince the 72-year-old Heynckes otherwise were unsuccessful.

Despite relative inexperience after a stint in charge of Croatia, Kovac saved Eintracht Frankfurt from relegation after taking over in March 2016 and led the team to the German Cup final the following season. Champions League qualification is possible this season after another stellar campaign.

Frankfurt also has a German Cup semifinal match against Schalke next week.