Niko Kovač Off to his Old Club to Secure Teenage Talent

Croatia coach Niko Kovač will head back to his former club Bayern Munich next week, but he is not going there for a friendly visit to say hello to old friends…

Kovač and Croatian FA technical director Romeo Jozak will meet with Bayern officials to try to secure the services of 15-year-old Toni Trogrančić.

Trogrančić (15), who plays for Bayern Munich’s U-15 side, hit the headlines in both Croatia and Germany when Pep Guardiola personally invited him to train with Bayern’s first team recently. With many predicting that the youth international is destined for big things, both Croatia and Germany are battling for the teens loyalty.

Trogrančić was born in Bad Aibling near Munich to parents from Fojnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina (father) and Vinkovci, Croatia (mother), Toni, who has already played for the Croatia at U-15 level, is eligible to play for Germany.

“Not only are we interested in Toni, we have already started to act to secure him for Croatia. Two days ago I met with his father, we had a good, long chat, but everything is still open,” Jozak told Goal.com, adding that Bayern Munich are creating a few problems.

“They are happy to release Toni for international duties for Germany, but they will not release him to join our youth international sides. According to FIFA and UEFA rules they can do that. We can not do anything,” he said.

Next week Jozak and Kovač will head to Munich to meet with Bayern’s Youth Academy director as well as they hope with Guardiola. (photo / Twitter)