Despite a long night of partying and the next bowl presentation on the balcony of Munich City Hall, there was no question of carefree enjoyment of the most emotional championship title for more than two decades at FC Bayern. The open break with the deposed CEO Oliver Kahn and the picture of inner turmoil that the record champion gives at the end of his chaos season, President Herbert Hainer and Kahn’s successor Jan-Christian Dreesen had to face almost half a football halftime on the morning after the heart-stopping Bundesliga final long explain.
“Restart”, “Teamwork”, “Again” were the buzzwords at their short-notice press conference in the Allianz Arena. All this will happen without Kahn and sports director Hasan Salihamidzic, but with Dreesen as the next boss, a comeback light from Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Mister X as sports director.
After Jamal Musiala’s last-minute goal on Saturday to make it 2-1 against 1. FC Köln, the feelings of the Bayern stars exploded in the Cologne stadium, including Salihamidzic, who, like Kahn, had long since been informed of his recall. But the management tremor that became public with the season final whistle overshadowed the football miracle in the long-distance duel with the nervously failing Dortmund team.
“We also have a political issue in the club now, which also clouds this victory and this extreme championship, this extreme willpower a bit.
Thomas Tuchel, Bayern Munich coach
Coach Thomas Tuchel also reacted with confusion. “We also have a political issue in the club now, which also clouds this victory and this extreme championship, this extreme willpower a bit,” lamented the 49-year-old. Somehow that fits into the season picture, my Tuchel. “Our second half was chaotic,” summed up the original Bavarian Thomas Müller. In terms of sport, she was not Bayern-like, neither on nor off the pitch.
The big, final boom was decided by the supervisory board, with President Hainer at the helm – and Uli Hoeneß as the driving force. The honorary president and patron of the club was seen in many conversations at the championship celebrations in Munich’s Motorworld on Saturday evening. The 71-year-old didn’t speak publicly, but he did act. Hainer reported that he and Hoeneß held the talks with Kahn and Salihamidzic. However, the two ex-players, whom Hainer called “icons”, reacted very differently.
“It worked very well with Hasan. The talks with Oliver didn’t go so well, they were emotional,” revealed Hainer. An end with decency, i.e. consensual, did not work. The supervisory board anticipated Kahn’s trip to Cologne with his immediate dismissal. In his weekend reactions, Kahn complained about the club’s “actionism” and even spoke on Sky on Saturday evening “of the worst day of his life”.
He also contradicted the claim that “I freaked out when I was informed about the recall.” Meanwhile, Salihamidzic left sadly but in style. The 46-year-old even celebrated with the team into Sunday.
Good end, so good? Nobody is so naïve in the Bundesliga-Krösus after the just averted first season without a title since 2012. President Hainer spoke of “warning signals on and off the field” and that FC Bayern must “radiate dominance” again.
The 55-year-old Dreesen plays a key role as the new strong man. As CFO, the East Frisian was the master of numbers for ten years. Actually, he should leave the club in the fall. He could have become managing director of the German Football League, but “if FC Bayern calls…” Dreesen receives a two-year contract. “I said yes with complete conviction.” He wants to pacify the club, and he relies on the “team”.
The core team around him, which is to build the FC Bayern of the future in terms of sport, is Rummenigge, Tuchel and a new sports director. Rummenigge is to be admitted to the supervisory board on Tuesday, Hainer praised the “soccer expertise” of the 67-year-old, who vacated the position of CEO for Kahn two years ago. Tuchel will be even more involved as a coach. He’s not going on vacation now. “I have to take responsibility for the sporting development,” said Nagelsmann’s successor.
The focus is on signing a Salihamidzic successor. The transfer phase begins. “Of course we are looking for someone who understands his business from A to Z,” said Hainer. Max Eberl from RB Leipzig and Markus Krösche from Eintracht Frankfurt are already being traded as candidates. “I think that the two are very good sports directors when they are in the DFB Cup final with their clubs,” Hainer commented. Hoeneß’ favorite is said to be ex-Bayern professional Eberl, who he wanted to get when he was in Gladbach. (dpa)
Source: Tagesspiegel
Brayden White, a veteran sports writer at Global Happening, brings his wealth of knowledge and expertise to the sports section. With over a decade of experience, he is committed to delivering high-quality coverage of the latest games and events.
