Bayern Munich set to take Rene Maric action amid Sunderland and Leeds United talk | OneFootball

Reports from Germany suggest that Bayern Munich are intent on keeping Rene Maric at the club, in what would be a blow for Sunderland but also potentially Leeds United.

Austrian coach Maric, who manages Bayern's under-19's, has been among the favourites to take on the vacant role of Sunderland manager this summer, but that now looks to have changed.

That is according to reports from German news outlet Tageszeitung, as they report that Bayern are keen to extend the contract of the 31-year-old beyond the summer.

It will also come as a potential blow to Leeds United, as the same report suggested that the Whites are also interested in bringing Maric back to Elland Road, where he was previously the assistant to Jesse Marsch.

Rene Maric could now stay in Germany amid Sunderland interest

With his contract set to expire this summer, Maric's future with the Bavarian giants appeared uncertain, and thus his potential availability reportedly caught the eye of Sunderland and now Leeds, although there has been no inkling of Daniel Farke losing his job irrespective of whether the Whites win promotion back to the Premier League or not.

Maric has yet to make a decision on his future, but it can be expected that Bayern will offer him an attractive expanded coaching role within the club in order to fend off outside interest in their promising young coach.

He could even potentially be in line to take over as first-team manager somewhere down the line, with current boss Thomas Tuchel will be leaving at the end of the season, although Hansi Flick is said to be in talks for a return to the Allianz Arena.

Who is Rene Maric?

Maric has been quickly building a reputation for himself across Europe over the past few years.

That is thanks in no small part to RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose, who's made sure to appoint him as his assistant at various big clubs.

He has experience of working as a Premier League assistant manager to Marsch brought him even further into the coaching spotlight, and despite him leaving with the ill-fated Whites boss, he was soon picked up by Bayern.

In a testament to his evident knowledge of the game and his bright footballing mind, he is also Bayern's head of playing philosophy, giving him a strong link to first-team affairs.

At Sunderland, interim head coach Mike Dodds will - for now at least - revert to his previous coaching role with the Black Cats, as they look to the future for their next permanent manager.

Missing out on Maric may set into motion a strong pursuit of long-time reported candidate Will Still, especially after his recent departure from Reims made him a free agent.

It is clear that the Black Cats are in search of a young, innovative coaching mind to spearhead an exciting future at the Stadium of Light, which links into Kyril Louis-Dreyfus' model.

As for Leeds, Daniel Farke's status as manager has yet to be presented as unsafe ahead of next season, regardless of the outcome during the play-offs, and so it doesn't appear that Maric has been in the running to replace him.

That is unless there are unreported plans to axe Farke should Leeds fail in their bid to return to the Premier League.

What can be interpreted from this reported interest is that Maric made a significant impression during his time at Elland Road, and upon hearing of his expiring contract in Germany, Leeds may see a can't-miss opportunity to welcome him back if things go pear-shaped under their current German boss.