Bayern Munich: The candidates to replace Niko Kovac

The Portuguese coach is out of work but his ego would make him the nuclear option. As a serial trophy winner with Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United, the 56-year-old knows how to handle big names but his tactical star has waned in recent years. Bastian Schweinsteiger said recently his former boss has started learning German but could he really work with Bayern's top brass?

The Dutch coach caught the eye during Ajax's unlikely run to the last four of the Champions League last season and, after spending time coaching Bayern's reserves between 2013 and 2015, is familiar with the club and the German language, often a key requirement for those at the top. He has a contract with the Dutch champions until 2022 but may not be able to resist Bayern. Among the frontrunners.

Another high profile coach who would be available without compensation, Allegri left Juventus at the end of last season after a spell that bought five Serie A titles, four Coppa Italias and two Champions League final defeats. The Italian is regarded as a smart and versatile tactician but the failure of Carlo Ancelotti to adapt could count against his compatriot.

The assistant coach who was also on the staff for Germany's World Cup 2014 win will take charge for Wednesday's Champions League game against Olympiacos and Saturday's Bundesliga clash with Borussia Dortmund, both at the Allianz Arena. Win them both and, as the man in possession, he may stand a decent chance of keeping the gig, at least until the end of the season.

Something of an outsider but the long-serving former Arsenal boss has made noises about wanting to get back in to the dugout since leaving the Premier League side in 2018. At 70, he wouldn't be a long term solution but, hailing from Alsace on the German border, he does have a knowledge of the country, its language and its football. Could also perhaps be tempted by a short term deal.

The former coach and sporting director of RB Leipzig recently became head of player development globally for Red Bull and its various franchises. Having changed roles so recently, and with a general preference for more managerial roles, it's doubtful that Rangnick would be happy to work within the current Bayern setup but rumors persist in Germany nonetheless.

The former Borussia Dortmund coach is in his second season at Paris Saint-Germain and with the French side well clear at the top of Ligue 1 and of their Champions League group, there's no obvious reason to leave. But the German is a favorite of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and did come under serious consideration before Kovac got the job. Any approach is more likely to work at the end of the season.

Another long shot, with the Argentinian still in place at Tottenham. Pochettino has won plenty of admirers with the way he's turned Spurs in to Premier League contenders and Champions League finalists but he's yet to win a trophy with the London club and this season has been little short of a disaster, with Spurs sitting 11th. Bayern's 7-2 win in London earlier this season also won't help.

He couldn't, could he? Not again? Well, probably not. But with the options available to Bayern likely to be far greater at the end of the season than in November, there is a chance, however slight, that Heynckes could reprise his role of 2017-18 when he rode to Bayern's rescue after Carlo Ancelotti's tenure ended prematurely. Signs are that he's enjoying retirement though with his wife and dogs.