FC Bayern Munich
Eberl is approaching: the search for a coach and questions about the squad are important tasks
To become the new sports director of FC Bayern: Max Eberl. photo
© Jan Woitas/dpa
FC Bayern announced “a great caliber” for the position of sports director nine months ago. Now it’s probably that time.
The execution of Max Eberl’s commitment is pending FC Bayern Munich is imminent. At the supervisory board meeting this Monday, the vote will reportedly be in favor of the long-time Gladbach and former Leipzig manager.
“We announced early enough that we were looking for a sports director again. And now we will discuss it on Monday. And when we have decided, we will also inform you,” said Supervisory Board Chairman and President Herbert Hainer.
Transfer to RB Leipzig
According to dpa information, FC Bayern and RB Leipzig have already agreed that the Munich team will pay a transfer fee for the 50-year-old. The Saxons therefore booked a total of 4.5 million euros. “Everyone who helps us move forward is welcome,” said CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen. He would like a new sports director.
If signed, Eberl must, above all, press ahead with the search for a coach. The separation from Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season is a done deal. “We want more continuity in the coaching chair. That’s what we’re striving for,” said Dreesen.
To this end, Eberl would play a key role in initiating possible changes to the squad. “We have to sit down at the end of the season and analyze what’s going on, why we’re not playing so well,” said supervisory board chairman Hainer. “Is it just the coach or do we have to change something in the team too.”
The former long-term manager and current honorary president Uli Hoeneß hopes to find a long-term solution for the position of sports director. He outlined his roadmap last year. Together with long-time Bayern colleague Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and President Hainer, they tried to get the club “back into calm waters” after problems. After that, the club will continue to receive friendly advice, “but we won’t be here three times a week to discuss things,” he said about himself and Rummenigge.
The sports directors of FC Bayern Munich
Matthias Sammer (2012-2016): After the three second places in Munich’s last titleless season, Sammer was hired as the new sports director in July 2012. Sports director Christian Nerlinger had to leave. With the signing of Sammer, Jupp Heynckes was less of a focus as a coach. The coach led FC Bayern to their first treble in German football in 2013. A few months after Sammer stepped down for health reasons, he left Munich in the summer of 2016 “at his own request”.
Hasan Salihamidzic (2017-2023): Salihamidzic’s second career at FC Bayern came about quite by chance, far away from Munich in Asia. Rummenigge and Hoeneß found the amazing position of sports director during the PR tour. Salihamidzic was later promoted to sports director and, like Sammer seven years earlier, was also able to celebrate the triple in the 2019/20 season. The conflict with coach Hansi Flick caused a leadership crisis, and the Bosnian was also blamed for mistakes in the squad composition. Two months after separating from coach Julian Nagelsmann in March 2023, Salihamidzic had to leave, as did CEO Oliver Kahn.
Max Eberl (?): “A great caliber” is being sought as the new sports director, President Hainer emphasized in May at the Munich board quake. Eberl had only joined RB Leipzig a few months earlier after a personal break. Hoeneß once wanted the former Bayern youth player to be Sammer’s successor. Salihamidzic was installed after a long vacancy. Before moving to Leipzig, which did not go as hoped for the manager and club, Eberl worked successfully for Borussia Mönchengladbach for many years.