Bayern deny Kovac exit talk amid growing Wenger links

In an attempt to halt rumors of Niko Kovac's sacking, Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic claims the Croatian's job is safe, while reports linking former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger with the position gain steam.

"No, we have not," Salihamidzic told beIN Sports when asked if the club has considered appointing another coach.

With Bayern sitting fifth in the Bundesliga, nine points adrift of Borussia Dortmund, Kovac's job has come into question, prompting reports that Wenger would succeed the Bayern newcomer at the Allianz Arena. The Telegraph's Matt Law reported earlier in the week that Wenger was monitoring the situation in Germany amid a shared admiration between the two parties.

That gossip was given some credence on Wednesday when BILD's Christian Falk confirmed that Wenger's agent was in attendance at the Allianz on the weekend when the reigning six-time German champs surrendered a two-goal lead to relegation fodder Fortuna Dusseldorf in a 3-3 draw.

Salihamidzic claims that's hogwash, telling Sky Germany: "There was 100 percent no contact with Arsene Wenger. We will travel to Bremen with Niko Kovac as our manager and we will win."

Wenger conceded in October a desire to return to management in 2019. The 69-year-old Frenchman left Arsenal in the summer following a decorated 22-year tenure.