By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, May 7 (Xinhua) -- With only two rounds of games remaining for the season, Bayern Munich has the approaching tasks to deal with a series of issues, including the uncertain future for both star player James Rodriguez and coach Niko Kovac.
Against the denial by both club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and sports director Hasan Salihamidzic, media reports had a different story about Columbian Rodriguez.
German and Spanish media said that on loan Rodriguez will return to Real Madrid based on his contract.
"Marca" indicated that Bayern won't use their buying option worth 42 million euro, and Real also told Rodriguez to look for a new club as Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane isn't counting on him for the upcoming season.
Rodriguez is complaining about Kovac's strategy as he was regularly benched from the starting eleven. In Bayern's midfield, both Thomas Mueller and Leon Goretzka look to be in a far better position, behind striker Robert Lewandowski.
And Rodriguez himself is also fuelling the rumors, as the 27-year-old once said that he considered Real a famous club, and Madrid the best place to live.
Media reports cited Italian champions Juventus Turin as his possible next destination, Serie A runners-up SSC Naples and the Premier League outfits Arsenal as possible targets.
Furthermore, substitute Rodriguez had to leave the pitch due to a calf-injury after only 16 minutes when Bayern played the disappointing 1-1 draw with league underdog Nuremberg.
Bayern president Uli Hoeness was quick to say that Kovac is in charge to decide about Rodriguez' future, while Kovac has his own task of keeping his coaching job, only by winning the national title and the 2019 Cup final against Leipzig.
Club legends Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are to depart after the season, and the futures of Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, Mueller, Javi Martinez and Renato Sanches remain unsolved.
Kovac was clear that only the national title and the Cup will stop all discussions about his future.
"When we manage to win both remaining titles, I am sure we won't have to continue to discuss other options," said the 48-year-old.
