Niko Kovac has turned Bayern Munich's form around thanks to the support he received in the boardroom, according to the club's former head coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.
Speculation about Kovac's future has been present throughout his first season at the club, which has seen Borussia Dortmund lead the way in the Bundesliga title race.
But ahead of Saturday's crunch clash between the top two at the Allianz Arena on Saturday, defending champions Bayern know beating Dortmund will put them in pole position to win the Bundesliga once more.
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Kovac's side are also through to the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal, having come through a thrilling 5-4 encounter at home to second-tier side Heidenheim despite Niklas Sule's early red card.