FC Bayern has found a new sports director: Max Eberl will help shape the club. On Tuesday he provided a few insights.
Let’s get started: Max Eberl has started his job at FC Bayern. At least almost, because his contract as sports director only begins on Friday. But it was presented today, Tuesday. Together with club president Herbert Hainer and CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, the 50-year-old answered questions from the journalists present.
He made it clear right at the beginning: “I don’t want to give up this season.” The eight points gap to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga is a lot, but not unsolvable given the number of matchdays remaining. He sees FC Bayern in the “hunter role”.
Eberl also had a piece of paper with him with tasks. Although this is only A5 size, it is still full, according to the new sports director. One thing is clear: ideally, the coaching position should be secured first and then the right squad should be put together. “We have to find the right coach and the right players for Bayern Munich. Preferably as quickly as possible,” said the ambitious newcomer.
He described the decision to part ways with Thomas Tuchel in the summer and thus have clarity early on as “right and understandable”. Eberl continued: “Now, with the new situation, the cards have been reshuffled.”
“It should be German or English”
When asked about squad planning, Borussia Mönchengladbach’s long-time manager explained that he didn’t just want to bring in established stars, but that young players were also important. He specifically mentioned Mathys Tel and Jamal Musiala. Eberl quoted Thomas Müller, who said at the weekend after the game against Rasenballsport Leipzig that FC Bayern was not a place for developments. Eberl contradicted with a smile: “I do believe that it is possible. It must be possible to lead Bayern Munich successfully and still shape development.”
The players should be developed by a new coach. Who is the right one? “We want to find a coach who suits Bayern Munich, who meets their requirements,” emphasized the new Bayern official.
Regarding the future coach’s language skills, Eberl said: “It should be German or English, but French is a bit thin for me. That’s also a criterion, but not an exclusion criterion. I don’t want to limit myself too much.”
Eberl was also asked about the Spaniard due to reports that Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso was Bayern’s desired solution. The 50-year-old already had Alonso on the list for the coaching position when he was in Gladbach, but he turned it down after a “very interesting conversation”. “It’s a touch too early for me,” replied Xabi Alonso Eberl. However, the conversation from back then does not allow any conclusions to be drawn about today, noted Eberl.