Share

Favre backtracks on Dortmund exit hint following Bayern defeat

Swiss coach Lucien Favre on Wednesday back-tracked on comments he made hinting he would leave Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season after defeat by Bayern Munich left his team seven points adrift of the champions in the Bundesliga title race with six games left.

"I am not thinking of giving up at all," Favre, who is under contract until 2021, insisted on Wednesday.

"Yesterday, we were all disappointed, but my words in the interview directly after the game seem to have been misunderstood in many cases," with several German media outlets speculating about his future.

Favre's attitude was very different to his crestfallen demeanour immediately after Tuesday's 1-0 home defeat against Bayern, thanks to Joshua Kimmich's deft chip just before half-time.

The defeat came on the back of a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Bayern last November at Munich's Allianz Arena.

On Tuesday night, Favre gave a resigned grin when asked if the latest defeat proved he does not have what it takes for Dortmund to break Bayern's monopoly on the German league.

"That's been said here for months," Favre had said.

"I know how these things go and I will talk about it in a few weeks.

"I'm staying calm and I trust in myself."

For the second season running under the 62-year-old, second-placed Dortmund find themselves wanting at the tail end of the campaign with Bayern now firmly on course for an eighth straight league title.

According to German daily Bild on Wednesday, Dortmund's bosses made contact "in the past few months" with Niko Kovac, who was sacked by Bayern in November, as a possible successor to Favre.

After Favre hinted that he may leave, Germany legend and Sky pundit Lothar Matthaeus commented "as soon as I heard that, I thought 'Favre will leave and Kovac will come'".

Bild also claim that RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann is Dortmund's ideal candidate, but the 32-year-old is under contract until 2023.

Favre has all but waved the white flag on bridging the gap in the table, even though Bayern must still face Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen, who have already both beaten them this season.

"It's going to be difficult - seven points (to make up) in six games, that is brutally hard," said Favre after the game.

The Swiss fell offside with Dortmund fans last season when he conceded the 2018/19 title race was "over" after a 4-2 home defeat by Schalke left them three points behind Bayern with three games left.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE