Christoph Freund took over the position of sports director at FC Bayern in September and has wanted to lend his signature to the German record champions ever since. The Austrian has now explained what is particularly important to him when it comes to squad planning and player scouting.
Christoph Freund made a big name for himself in the football scene during his time at Red Bull Salzburg, especially when it came to observing players and discovering young talents. He worked as sports director for the Austrian industry leader from 2015 to 2023, during which time he supported many youngsters such as Erling Haaland, Sadio Mané, Dayot Upamecano, Dominik Szoboszlai and Karim Adeyemi.
The 46-year-old will now also bring his undisputed instinct for young and developing top talents to bear on FC Bayern.
On the German record champions’ club homepage, Freund revealed what he attaches particular importance to when looking at young talent: “We’re talking about the highest level here, so of course you need the footballing prerequisites such as technique and tactical understanding. But the mentality is crucial. Man You have to have the confidence to deliver again and again at the highest level.”
According to Freund, it is important to work with young players on how to deal well with high pressure situations.
“Soft skills” are “crucial” for FCB sports director
The Salzburger therefore considers the so-called “soft skills” in professional football and in the assessment of players to be “absolutely crucial”. Freund explained: “We collect a lot of impressions from the players outside the football pitch. How they deal with their teammates, how they behave in certain situations – we talk about this with many of our companions. You have to be made to give everything to it “To get up and stay up.”
There have been many examples in the past of young top talents who were highly talented but did not make the big breakthrough due to a lack of mentality. “That’s completely fine, but you have to admit it to yourself before you become unhappy,” said the FCB sports director.