It doesn’t get much more turbulent than this – and if you talk to people who have been involved with FC Bayern for many years, the almost unanimous opinion is: it’s never been like this before. Last-minute championships, coaching changes during the season, dismissals here and there. But first things first:
Germany messes up the World Cup in Qatar, the national team players are given time off immediately after being eliminated in the group stage and are allowed to go on vacation. Coach Julian Nagelsmann also takes a long break, as does sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic. This causes astonishment among the bosses on the board of directors and supervisory board, as well as some of the team. The consequences of this should become apparent in the course of the second half of the season. In the meantime, however, the club is dealing with a completely different issue: the absence of Manuel Neuer.
Coach Nagelsmann and sporting director Salihamidzic decide to sign a new number 1 for at least the second half of the season; they have too little confidence in Sven Ulreich. Yet the loyal and reliable Neuer deputy is there for precisely such circumstances. Munich are looking at Kasper Schmeichel, are close to reaching an agreement, but then prioritize Yann Sommer, whom they bring in from Mönchengladbach. A slap in the face for Ulreich. The first – especially as the Swiss rarely lived up to expectations and left FCB after just six months.
The second followed immediately afterwards. Toni Tapalovic, the long-standing goalkeeping coach, was released in Neuer’s absence. To the complete incomprehension of Neuer, Ulreich, some players and members of the staff. According to FCB, the official reasons given are still incomprehensible. It is no secret that Nagelsmann and Tapalovic have different opinions. However, the decision, regardless of successor Michael Rechner, contributes to the already widespread unrest at the club and also has an impact on the team
Despite success in the Champions League: Bayern slumps in the league
In addition, Serge Gnabry is publicly criticized for his trip to Paris on Sunday after the second-round opener in Leipzig (1:1), while coach Nagelsmann watches the ski race in Kitzbühel on the same weekend. The team is well aware of this. It is another point that reinforces the already existing imbalance at the German record champions and puts a strain on the team/management relationship. The lack of results, with three draws at the start of 2023, means that there are fewer supporters of coach Nagelsmann.
Although FCB brilliantly mastered the Champions League round of 16 against Paris St. Germain, the team increasingly collapsed in the league. The lead over title rivals Dortmund melts and melts. The club’s upper echelons see this – among other things – as a consequence of the lack of winter preparation and as a clear mistake on the part of the sporting management. Furthermore, the different systems and different footballing requirements are said to confuse some professionals.
Salihamidzic and CEO Oliver Kahn are also having more and more doubts about Nagelsmann; the young coach is causing too many issues off the pitch. Only the confident progress against PSG prevented possible consequences. But then came the 2-1 defeat in Leverkusen, the associated loss of the lead in the table before the international break – and Nagelsmann’s skiing vacation.
Tuchel succeeds Nagelsmann
It may have been agreed in principle before the defeat, but the coach’s attitude of favoring the mountains over the office after such a result is being criticized. Kahn and Salihamidzic are beside themselves, questioning everything on Monday and Tuesday after Sunday’s defeat at the Werkself. And contact Thomas Tuchel. On March 28, the current head coach expects FCB to ask about a possible commitment in the summer. But the Bayern bosses quickly get specific and emphasize that they want him now. Tuchel thinks about it, but quickly says yes. Because the chance to become a coach at FC Bayern was a six in the lottery for him. Both professionally and personally. And he has always wanted to lead the German record champions from the touchline
Nagelsmann, on the other hand, was hit hard and unexpectedly. When he called him after the first rumors, he said on the phone that he had only read about the speculation about his release in the media, but had not heard anything from FC Bayern until 9.49 pm on Thursday evening. The club then made it official on Friday.
In the course of this, Thomas Tuchel was announced as his successor. Even before the 50-year-old signs his contract, he finds out what Tuchel thinks of the team. At the end of March, he was already asking himself whether Joshua Kimmich was really a six-man. And it was already clear to the head coach back then that Bayern urgently needed a top-class center forward in the summer. The end of the season should confirm this assessment
Kahn and Salihamidzic must go
Bayern are eliminated from the Champions League and the cup, while in the league they stagger through the final rounds like a knocked-out boxer. Coach Tuchel can’t believe his eyes at times – the team’s condition shocks him. Whether mentally or physically. The bosses are not immune to this either – Sadio Mané’s punch to the face of Leroy Sané is a further indication (unlike Ribéry and Robben in the past) that there is something wrong with the team, that the previous management has put together a completely inharmonious structure.
And it’s no secret: an FC Bayern in such a state needs a radical change and clear consequences. After the 33rd matchday at the latest, when nobody expected the team to win the championship after the 3-1 defeat to Leipzig, the course was set for the future. It comes to a big quake.
Uli Hoeneß, who no longer recognizes his club, decides with the supervisory board to part ways with CEO Kahn and sports director Salihamidzic, who is said to have been responsible for the departure of Hansi Flick, Hermann Gerland and Miroslav Klose, among others – regardless of the outcome of the season. The honorary president is also campaigning for the return of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, with the former board boss set to join the supervisory board. Because the long-standing management duo knows that a ruthless correction is needed.
The fact that it was ultimately enough to win the eleventh championship in a row, in the penultimate minute of the game and thanks to Dortmund’s total failure, does not change the behavior and plans at FC Bayern. The decision has been made. Also that Jan-Christian Dreesen, who originally wanted to leave the club after the season after ten years, will take over as the new CEO. The former CFO unites and pacifies the club. Back to old values
After Kahn and Salihamidzic, Kahn’s trusted chief advisor Moritz Mattes, Nagelsmann’s psychologist Dr. Maximilian Pelka and Salihamidzic’s show transfer Mané also have to leave. It was only when Hoeneß returned to the day-to-day running of the club that he realized how many wrong decisions had actually been made and how much money had been wasted in recent years. Keyword: Lucas Hernandez. Or youth contracts for young players. Or Marco Neppe’s contract extension, which was not officially communicated.
The technical director and Salihamidzic’s closest confidant is allowed to stay for the time being to support the transfer committee with existing contacts. However, his role is viewed very critically, at the latest when more and more details emerge during the transfer period. Especially in the Kane poker, which has moved the fans like rarely before, those involved – incidentally also at Tottenham – are bothered by a certain permeability.
Neppe was no longer involved in all the details towards the end of the transfer period – and with the arrival of Christoph Freund as the new sporting director, he lost even less influence. Especially as Tuchel, who is said to have been somewhat indecisive in his assessments during the transfer efforts in August, and Freund understand each other very well and have almost the same intentions in terms of content.
Both are aware of the problems in the squad and the old ties. In the past, for example, players with domestic political motivation are said to have tried to influence the line-up. The head coach wants (and needs) to break up these former connections, not only for the sake of the team structure, but also for his own sake. True to the motto: If he tries, it could be his undoing – if he doesn’t try at all, it will certainly be his undoing. This is precisely why he makes it clear from the start of the preparations: a different wind is blowing. Tuchel chooses critical words, which is very unusual at FC Bayern. He shows little consideration for personal sensitivities, even of prominent players – for good reasons
With Kane and three youngsters: Bayern get back to basics
Because the sporting problems in the squad are still evident – as the 0:3 in the Supercup against Leipzig shows. Which is why Bayern are ready to strike again in the final days of the transfer window. The two planned deals for Joao Palinha and the recall of Joao Cancelo fall through shortly before the end. The Munich bosses are naturally not completely satisfied with the outcome – and Tuchel knows he has to be creative at least until winter.
With Mathys Tel, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Frans Krätzig, youngsters are brought in; Leon Goretzka convinces – on a temporary basis – as a central defender. And: FC Bayern has a real attraction in Harry Kane. The Englishman is breaking records right from the start, holding up a mirror to many of his colleagues with his down-to-earth, professional manner, the fans are celebrating him and the club feels vindicated in its €100 million investment
The embarrassing cup exit in Saarbrücken and the thunderous 1:5 in Frankfurt hurt enormously, of course, but otherwise FC Bayern is finding its form better and better. Not always completely confident, but with a clear plan – and ultimately with the best league start in eight years. Important for players and coaches: back to basics, back to stability, back to control. Because that’s what the lost dominance in the game is based on. One step at a time, that’s the plan. Which, with the exception of the two very sensitive defeats, is working well.
And yet the squad planning for this winter and next summer is in full swing behind the scenes. Because the Munich managers know that there is still a lot to do. Whether it’s new signings or contract extensions. It will probably not be quite as easy as with Ulreich and Neuer, who celebrated his comeback after just under ten months and extended his contract until 2025 together with his representative.
The fact that the contract extensions for Neuer and Ulreich were announced at the same time and that an agreement was also reached with Thomas Müller before Christmas is also a sign of renewed cohesion after all the turbulence at the start of the year. A bit of “Mia san mia” that had been lost and should gradually return with a lot of work
