Eliminated from the DFB Cup, eliminated from the Champions League and once again knocked off the top of the table by Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga: the results of the surprising change of coach at FC Bayern from Julian Nagelsmann to Thomas Tuchel are sobering. Most recently, the work of CEO Oliver Kahn was loudly questioned in this context. Allegedly not the first time that there are doubts about the ex-keeper.
When the FC Bayern supervisory board meets on May 22nd, Oliver Kahn’s future should also be put to the test, confirms “Sport Bild” on Wednesday information from “Sky” and “Bild”. The magazine also reveals that this isn’t the first time that Munich’s grandees have decided Kahn’s fate.
On May 9, 2022, Kahn’s work in Munich should also have been intensively examined. Following the meeting at that time, President Herbert Hainer and Honorary President Uli Hoeneß are said to have asked Kahn for an interview and explained to him “very clearly” that a different behavior was expected of him.
It was allegedly noted at the time that Kahn had to be more communicative, better represent the club to the outside world and show more empathy for the employees, “Sport Bild” summarizes. How serious the situation was is underpinned by the information that possible successors have already been discussed. Ex-DFL boss Christian Seifert and former Leipzig boss Oliver Mintzlaff are said to have been traded.
FC Bayern is heading for record sales
However, Kahn is said to have responded positively to the criticism and adapted his approach to most of the points of criticism. However, dealing with employees should continue to be a challenge for Kahn. There is hardly any exchange, the “lack of connection to their boss” is said to have repeatedly been criticized by club employees in recent months. Kahn prefers to surround himself “with his own people”.
In addition to possible omissions in the sporting area on May 22, Kahn’s leadership should be one of the points that the supervisory board wants to discuss. However, Kahn is said to have very good arguments on his side: with 835 million euros, the company is heading for a new sales record. Whether this point is enough for the ex-national player to be able to fulfill his contract by the end of 2024 remains to be seen.
According to the report, a comeback by Hoeneß as a maker of FC Bayern, which was recently discussed in the media, is unlikely. The fact that Hoeneß’ congenial partner Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, whose successor Kahn succeeded in the summer of 2021, will take over the helm again on an interim basis, should not be completely ruled out.