With news circulating that Niko Kovac is to become the new Bayern Munich manager in the summer you cannot help but wonder what those closer to home make of the appointment.
Kovac has done a decent job with Eintracht Frankfurt in the two seasons and they currently sit fifth in the Bundesliga.
And yet, while an exciting young coach is given a big job in Germany, back in the Premier League we have seen all the usual suspects brought in at the first sign of panic.
Allardyce, Pardew, Hodgson, Hughes and Moyes all being called upon before Howe, Dyche and Lee Johnson are even considered.
Kovac is seen in Germany much like Eddie Howe is here in England; a good young coach who gives young players a chance and succeeding with limited resources. Yet it is hard to see Eddie Howe being given the reins at one of England’s established giants.
Granted, Bayern have sauntered to the league title under the much loved Juup Heynckes (who could not be persuaded to stay on despite the clamour) and Kovac is a former player which helps keep the fans on side.
Yet that could well be the thing that forces Bayern to be hoisted by their own petard. Their insistence on having a German speaking manager following the Ancelotti saga has led to some fans questioning whether they are being far too insular when appointing.
Many wanted somebody like Maurizzio Sarri or Jurgen Klopp to be brought but it is yet another old boy that has been given the role.
In the past, Bayern’s determination to bring former players back into the fold has usually worked but there are others who did not fare so well.
For example, the surprising appointment of Hasan Salihamidžić as sporting director in July last year has not been seen as a great success, particularly for the way things turned sour with Carlo Ancelotti.
Whilst at present Kovac should face an easy start to life at Bayern given the quality of the squad and the genuine lack of a title challenger in recent seasons, the scrutiny on him from Bayern and fans across Germany will be greater than ever before.
A poor showing at the World Cup from the national side and if Bayern were to struggle in the Champions League then the whole philosophy of German football could come under pressure from within.
At face value Kovac being appointed is a good thing for Bayern and German football but the fallout if it goes wrong could be huge.
