Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac has hailed Thiago Alcantara and says the Brazilian is the heartbeat of the Bavarians’ midfield. The 28-year-old has been a revelation since arriving at the club from Barcelona in 2013, helping Bayern win six consecutive Bundesliga titles.
Thiago is surrounded by quality but Kovac is convinced his side would not be the same without him in it and says he is a coach’s dream. “What can I say about Thiago? He’s a top player. He was sensational last season,” he told the assembled media at the club’s USA summer tour. “We’ve got a massive pool of exceptional midfielders, but he’s the heartbeat of our midfield, a player who can do everything with the ball.
“He can speed up the game, slow it down – he thinks like a coach. That’s what every coach wants.” Meanwhile, the player himself is also more than happy to be the coach’s dream. “I first played as a No.6 under Pep (Guardiola),” Thiago said. “I feel most comfortable in defensive or central midfield, but I play wherever the coach wants me to. I’d even play in goal [laughs].”
