Long-time general counsel Michael Gerlinger (50) is saying goodbye to FC Bayern after almost two decades. It is not yet clear how hard this separation will hit the club.
The former CEO and current supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was quoted as saying on Wednesday (September 13, 2023): “I regret that Michael is leaving FC Bayern. With his great expertise and his excellent network throughout the football world, he has rendered FC Bayern a great service.”
Immense work in the background
On Rummenigge’s initiative, Gerlinger became the record champions in 2005. Although he was rarely noticed by the general public, his impact on FC Bayern was immense. At the end of the month they part ways. Let this happen “in close coordination with the board”the statement said.
Gerlinger did not comment on his future. The doctor of law is also well connected internationally. He has been a member of the board of the ECA club association since 2017, and from 2021 until the appointment of Oliver Kahn he was also vice-chairman. From 2017 to 2019 and since 2021, Gerlinger also held the position of Managing Director at a subsidiary of the European Football Union UEFA.
Allegedly differences over Kahn concept
The Süddeutsche Zeitung speculates that there were disagreements between Gerlinger and the current Bayern bosses because the “shadow man” didn’t think the structural reform at FCB initiated by CEO Oliver Kahn, who was fired in May, was actually that bad. In addition, Gerlinger, who speaks four foreign languages, is highly sought after internationally.
According to SZ, he had closely accompanied almost all of Bayern’s important transfers in recent years due to his knowledge of French, Spanish and Italian and played a key role in shaping the contracts. In Bayern’s press release on the separation, Gerlinger himself recalled the commitment of the Spaniard Javi Martínez, this was “the first clause transfer ever” been.
“Two decades of outstanding work”
Kahn’s successor Jan-Christian Dreesen thanks Gerlinger in the message “Excellent work for FC Bayern for almost two decades. With his quality and his commitment, he contributed a lot to the great successes that we celebrated with him.” Which club or association Gerlinger would like to celebrate with soon – this decision is expected soon.