Kovac and Rebic ruin Heynckes farewell as Frankfurt stun Bayern
BERLIN: Niko Kovac stunned his future employers by leading Eintracht Frankfurt to an upset 3-1 win over Bayern Munich in the German Cup final on Saturday with Ante Rebic scoring twice to deny their opponents the domestic double to mark the retirement of coach Jupp Heynckes.
The Eintracht boss, who has agreed to take over from Heynckes in Munich next season, oversaw a committed performance from his side for his first trophy as a coach and make amends for last season’s final loss.
Croatian striker Rebic scored early and late to cancel out Robert Lewandowski’s equaliser for Bayern.
Bayern might have had a penalty in injury time, but referee Felix Zwayer decided otherwise after consulting video replays, and Mijat Gacinovic then sealed it on a counterattack to delight Frankfurt fans and break Bayern’s hearts.
It was a bittersweet farewell for Heynckes, who will go back into retirement after taking over in October and leading them to their sixth straight Bundesliga title. Heynckes had coached them to the treble in 2013.
In a contrast of emotions, Kovac was lost in the arms of his players as he celebrated Frankfurt’s first Cup win in 30 years.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Frankfurt’s Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng. “Everyone said we’d be beaten out of the stadium but we showed heart and we beat Bayern Munich out of the stadium.”
Frankfurt’s fifth German Cup also provided a ticket to the Europa League next season.
“We fought and whoever fights and believes in themselves will be rewarded. I’m so proud,” Boateng said.
Kovac went one better after his side lost to Borussia Dortmund in last year’s German season-ending showpiece.