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Developments, at the top level, are expected to bring to Bayern the exclusion from Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Within 15 days, the Bavarians were eliminated from Europe, as well as the German Cup (from Freiburg), now having as their only "lifeline" to save the season, the defense of the title in the Bundesliga.
The new frustration could cause another "victim" (after Julian Nagelsmann) very soon indeed, if not a matter of days. And he is none other than the CEO of Bayern Munich, legendary former goalkeeper, Oliver Kahn.
Kahn's title record in the 1st year: champion. Kahn's title record in the 2nd year: Maximum champion. And in both years his club did not reach the semi-finals of either the
UEFA Champions League or the DFB Cup.
1. Kahn did not meet the salary demands of triple defense boss David Alaba in 2021 and let him go to Real on a free transfer. But then he invested 120 million euros to bring uncertainty Upamecano and de Ligt.
2. In 2021, Kahn took the 33-year-old Julian Nagelsmann for a coaching record fee. The coach did not meet expectations and even lost first place in the league. The goal of achieving better performance in the short term with successor Tuchel was missed with a bang. The unrest even increased: only two wins in six games and Mané beat Sané in the dressing room.
3. Kahn sold Lewandowski in 2022 and went into the season without a world-class center forward, having previously ruled that out with a public "Basta". The consequences: 0 goals by the offensive stars against ManCity and in the Bundesliga midfielder Musiala is the best scorer with 11 goals in 6th place.
4. In the end, the same applies to Kahn as to Nagelsmann: He has to be measured by results. And since Nagelsmann was kicked out, one must inevitably conclude that Kahn is now shaking brutally. His contract runs until December 31, 2024. Nothing is known of talks about an early extension ...
The German media have brought back the nickname FC Hollywood, which was given to Bayern in the 90s, when the team's players graced the front pages of scandal-mongering magazines for reasons that had nothing to do with the sport. Especially in the last months and after Neuer's injury, skiing, something always worries the Bavarians. For example in January it was Gnabry's visit to Paris Fashion Week on his day off, with Hasan Salihamidzic declaring. "That shows amateurism, that's exactly what I don't like."
Bayern clearly have problems in their planning with the main responsibility of Hasan Salihamidzic. For example, the Bavarians only have one pure central striker who can stand at the highest level, Eric Chuppo Motting, while they seem to need strengthening in all their lines. Indicatively, the duo Kimmich - Goretzka is moving in shallow waters, while in defense Upamecano and De Ligt have issues.
What was also seen in the games against Manchester City is that Bayern lacks a game plan, an identity, with the change of coach intensifying this problem. Automations are difficult to come out of the footballers and often the Bavarians rely on individual actions, such as those of Leroy Sane, who noticeably does not... see his teammates at all.
Beyond the pure racing part, all the drama and toxicity that surrounds the Bavarians does not let them work. There is always something to distract the football department from its purpose, with squabbles a daily occurrence. Therefore, winning the championship is also in jeopardy.
So Bayern bid farewell to Europe's top club competition again from the quarter-finals. In the final minutes of the game a banner was raised in the stands of the Allianz Arena, which read: "Goals are allowed to be conceded, club values are not. Questioning the management's policy."
Meanwhile, fans of the Bavarian club showed their frustration towards both Kahn and Salihamidzic ahead of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester City. "Yesterday's heroes, today's losers" read a banner that appeared in one of the stands at the Allianz Arena before the kick-off.
Apart from Thomas Tuchel, who is under contract until 2025 and in whom they have... blind trust in Munich, the only one who seems safe is the sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic, a close friend and associate of the honorary president of the Bavarian club, Uli Hoennes.
However, it should be noted that Thomas Tuchel started his career at Bayern Munich with just 2 wins in 6 matches in all competitions. The Bayern manager who had a similarly bad start (also 2 wins in the first 6 games) was Soren Lerby in 1991.
Meanwhile, various names have already started and are circulating about who could succeed Khan (he has a contract until the summer of 2024) at the helm of the club. Of course, the former international goalkeeper himself believes that he has a lot to offer and there is no way he will resign.
The name mentioned as a favorite to take his place is that of Philipp Lahm, who is currently the general manager of UEFA Euro 2024 which will be held in 2 years in Germany. And it is considered extremely difficult to leave his work in the middle. Another name is that of the honorary president, Uli Hoennes who would like to return to action. We will soon see what exactly will happen at the top German club.
Manos Staramopoulos
Journalist and Analyst of International Football and Affairs
Chief Editor English Zone of Discoveryfootball.com
Athens (Greece)