At FC Bayern there is currently a mood of crisis. Things aren’t just going smoothly in Munich, not just in terms of sport, things are also simmering on Säbener Strasse. In addition to chief squad planner Hasan Salihamidzic, club boss Oliver Kahn is also coming under increasing criticism
“We won’t burst into tears,” Kahn emphasized after the surprising CL defeat against Villarreal. The 52-year-old was disappointed after the game, but his listless appearance caused displeasure among many fans, the media and fans. The former goalkeeper titan now has to manage the first real crisis with the record champions and can no longer limit himself to managing the legacy of Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. While his fellow board member Hasan Salihamidzic has recently been criticized, Kahn is now increasingly coming into focus.
Kahn’s lack of presence causes resentment in Munich
Kahn has been a board member at FC Bayern for more than two years and took over the management scepter from Rummenigge last summer. The “puppy protection” for the former Bayern professional has expired. Kahn has not (yet) appeared as a speaker. On the contrary, the CEO is hardly ever present in the media. During the Qatar crisis, Julian Nagelsmann repeatedly had to answer questions. In the current squad debate, too, Kahn kauf refrains from making clear announcements and plays for time. Rather, he seems to be concentrating on the future-oriented strategy project “FC Bayern AHEAD” and seems to forget the problems and challenges of the here and now.
As the “SZ” reports, the resentment on Säbener Straße about the behavior of the club boss is growing. “So far, remarkably little has become known of a caring Kahn, instead, from affected circles there is a certain speechlessness between the new management and the football staff,” reports the newspaper, referring to information from player and advisor circles.
Appropriately, the “Focus” wants to have experiencedthat Bayern legend Uli Hoeneß is anything but satisfied with his successors. The 70-year-old has so far held back discreetly. Probably also because Salihamidzic, his own protégé, is heavily criticized. However, it is only a matter of time before the gray eminence from Tegernsee will speak up.
Bayern are facing groundbreaking weeks and decisions
The coming weeks and months will be groundbreaking for the German record champions. The contract negotiations with Thomas Müller, Manuel Neuer, Serge Gnabry and above all Robert Lewandowski will put both Kahn and his management style to the test. Associated with this, the people of Munich are facing a change in personnel. The numerous corona emergency transfers (Sarr, Roca, Richards) have proven to be (financial) ballast. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann is now also publicly calling for “fresh blood” and is increasing the pressure on the management team.
Kahn himself emphasized after the CL exit that Munich must now draw the right conclusions from the defeat in order to set the course for the future. It will be exciting to see what role he will take on himself.