Former national player Dietmar Hamann sees fundamental problems at Bayern and criticizes those responsible in clear words. In his view, a possible departure from Robert Lewandowski could even have a positive effect.
“When you used to play against Bayern, you didn’t just play against eleven men, but against an entire club. Bayern have always distinguished themselves through their unity. This cohesion, this respect for one another and this power that they have always been able to generate , are missing at the moment”, wrote Hamann in his “Sky”-Column after the quarter-finals in the Champions League against Villarreal.
“The biggest problem is the lack of leadership,” added the former FC Bayern professional. “It started with the annual general meeting last year, and most recently it continued with the mistake of switching when they put the main responsibility on the DFB. Nobody takes responsibility and that’s how they play football.”
“Uncertainty” and no “clear edge” at Bayern
“Uncertainty” prevailed in the German record champions, Hamann stated. “You don’t know yet how things will go with Lewandowski, Gnabry or Müller. Julian Nagelsmann has to moderate all these things, but he has no influence on them.”
These are actually “a matter for the bosses,” the 48-year-old noted. “The behavior of those responsible is not professional, and that is reflected in the team.”
The club management must “show a clear edge again and communicate this to the outside world. But that doesn’t happen and everything just floats along”. CEO Oliver Kahn should “speak up on certain topics and set verbal accents”.
Hamann also complained about FC Bayern’s failed transfer policy: “The players who were brought in make mistakes and are currently average at best. There are people on the bench who the coach only substitutes in emergency situations. The Munich team has a lot of money in them Isar, which is doubly bitter, especially in Corona times. The next transfers have to work.”
According to Hamann, these problems are also a “topic of conversation” among the Bayern stars, “and the way they are occurring at the moment, I can imagine that there are two or three camps in the squad”.
Robert Lewandowski’s departure for FC Bayern “also a chance”
A possible departure of Robert Lewandowski in the direction of FC Barcelona is “also an opportunity” for FC Bayern, because then other players could move into the limelight, said Hamann.
The Pole “seems to be flirting with a change this time more than in previous years,” explained Hamann. “I don’t think it would be the worst thing for Bayern if he left. Lewandowski will be 34, I think he’ll be scoring for another year, but whether he can keep his level for two or three years , I don’t know. Maybe it would be better to reorganize the team.”
In this context, Hamann also brought up a concrete successor proposal: “I’m not Timo Werner’s biggest fan, but he would also score 20 or 25 goals in Munich. You need a seasoned player who can deal with the situation at Bayern can handle.”