'Awful team' to champions of Europe - coach Hansi Flick's remarkable transformation of Bayern Munich

Flick was only appointed in November with Bayern in disarray

Bayern's coach Hansi Flick holds the Champions League trophy. AP

Bayern players lift coach Hansi Flick after the Champions League victory. AP

Bayern coach Hansi Flick, left, and David Alaba, right, comfort PSG's Neymar. AP

Hansi Flick embraces Bayern Munich's Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara. AFP

Hansi Flick after winning the Champions League. EPA

Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick holds the trophy. Reuters

Bayern's head coach Hans-Dieter Flick is tossed in the air. AP

Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick lifts the trophy. Reuters

Hansi Flick with Thomas Mueller (R), Joshua Kimmich (2L) and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic (L) after winning the Champions League final. EPA

When Hansi Flick took over struggling Bayern Munich last November the headlines declared that teams should no longer fear the German champions - and nine months later they have completed the treble.

Bayern beat Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 courtesy of Kingsley Coman's winner to claim their third trophy following their Bundesliga and German Cup double and complete an amazing transformation.

"I am proud of this team," Flick said after the game. "When I started in November I read the headlines: 'No need to fear or respect Bayern Munich anymore', 'The team is awful."

"But the development since then has been sensational. We made maximum use of everything. It is not easy to win three titles. It was hard work."

Flick replaced Niko Kovac in November after a 5-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt and with Bayern having dropped out of the top three in the Bundesliga.

But the former Germany assistant coach almost instantly turned the campaign on its head, leading Bayern to an unbeaten 2020 in every competition.

They have won 21 consecutive matches in all competitions and are on a 30-game unbeaten run despite a two-month break in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Flick reinstalled Thomas Mueller in attack behind Robert Lewandowski and also plucked Jerome Boateng from the bench to restore order in the German side's defence.

"You could see during winter how much determination we have in this team, which is obviously something you wish for as a coach," Flick said. "The team is eager and we have players with boundless desire to win."

"The only thing that was missing was the fans. Maybe in the future we can have games with fans again. This sport deserves it."

The eight-team Champions League tournament was played in Lisbon in empty stadiums due to the pandemic.

The Bavarians won every Champions League game this season - including a memorable 8-2 demolition of Barcelona in the quarter-finals - becoming the first side to do so.

"The team is always in the foreground," Flick said. "When you see how we worked until the 96th minute tonight in defence then it is a superb team spirit.

"Every player developed this season in such a way so as to win three titles. This only happens as a team."