Report: Arsene Wenger the Favorite to Land Bayern Munich's Manager Job

Wenger could be in at Bayern to replace the ousted Niko Kovac.

Arsene Wenger has reportedly emerged as the favorite to be hired as the new Bayern Munich manager after Ralf Rangnick declined the role.

Bayern sacked Niko Kovac on Sunday following a crushing 5-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, one that left the club fourth in the league table on 18 points after 10 games, four points adrift of league leader Borussia Monchengladbach.

Since that dismissal, the Bayern hierarchy has been quick to identify potential candidates to replace the Croatian. According to Sport Bild, Rangnick, the No. 1 target who managed RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga last season, declined the opportunity to enter into negotiations with Bayern on Tuesday, which has in turn left Wenger as the clear favorite for the role.

This news came after Rangnick’s agent Marc Kosicke spoke to Bild where he stated: “No, Ralf Rangnick is not available. We do not believe that what Ralf Rangnick brings is currently being sought at Bayern. And that’s why it makes no sense to hold concrete talks.”

Aside from Rangnick, PSG's Thomas Tuchel and Ajax's Erik ten Hag have both declared that they won't be leaving their current clubs this season, forcing Bayern to wait until the summer just for the chance to approach either one about the possibility of moving to Munich.

As reported on Tuesday, the Frenchman was coy when pressed directly on the matter of succeeding Kovac as Bayern boss by beIN Sports, but he did insist that he missed coaching.

Recent developments, though, suggest that Wenger is in line to return to management, and if he is appointed in the coming days, he will be tasked with firstly hauling in Borussia Monchengladbach at the top of the Bundesliga and then secondly delivering European success come this spring.

Bayern currently sits atop its Champions League group, five points clear of second-place Tottenham after half of the group stage.