In September it was announced that FC Bayern would no longer work with Michael Gerlinger after 18 years. The 50-year-old had been working as general counsel for the Munich team since 2005 and enjoyed an impeccable reputation within the club. Now Gerlinger has apparently found a new employer in club football.
As the French sports newspaper “L’Équipe” reported, the top club Olympique Lyon is said to have asked Gerlinger. The ex-Bayern official, who most recently held the position of Vice President Sports Business and Competitions at the German champions, could now move to the front row for the French.
According to the newspaper report, he is being considered as the new sporting director at Olympique Lyon after Vincent Ponsot recently resigned from this position.
According to “Bild”, Gerlinger speaks very good French and could start immediately for the Ligue 1 club.
However, a decision has not yet been made. Gerlinger himself has not yet agreed to a commitment to Lyon, and there is also said to be at least one other candidate for the job of sporting director on the club’s shortlist.
Lyon got off to a disastrous start in Ligue 1
Olympique Lyon, who had a disastrous start to the season with three points from nine games, wanted to present a solution as soon as possible.
Michael Gerlinger spent most of his time working at FC Bayern under long-standing CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
He spoke highly of the ex-employee in the Munich-based company’s official press release: “With his great expertise and his excellent network throughout the football world, he has rendered FC Bayern a great service. The founding of the European Club Association (ECA) and UEFA Events SA, the introduction of storage fees and insurance coverage for our national players or the negotiation of distribution keys and solidarity benefits are just some of the achievements during his time at FC Bayern, during which I always worked closely and trustingly with him. I would like to do that “Thank you very much on behalf of FC Bayern and personally.”