Bayern Munich have been accused of "damaging German football" and were warned that Vincent Kompany won't reclaim Bundesliga dominance next season.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Bayern, a club synonymous with dominance in German football, have recently come under scrutiny following a rare trophyless season and the surprising appointment of Kompany as their new head coach. Despite having world-class talent like Harry Kane, the club failed to secure any silverware, marking a significant downturn for a team that set the benchmark for excellence in German football.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Ex-Manchester City star Kompany has just four years of managerial experience and his coaching history lacks any Champions League experience - his only European outing ended in an early Conference League qualifying round exit.
However, before settling on Kompany, Bayern's sports director Max Eberl and his colleague Christoph Freund faced several high-profile rejections as the club’s attempts to secure the services of Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann and Ralf Rangnick were unsuccessful. Other potential candidates such as Roberto de Zerbi, Roger Schmidt and Julen Lopetegui either chose to stay with their current clubs or pursue opportunities elsewhere.
WHAT FELIX MAGATH SAID
Former Bayern coach Felix Magath did not mince words when discussing the club's recent managerial hunt. Speaking at the Sports Media Austria conference in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Magath expressed his dismay at the situation and stated: "At first it was perhaps something to smile about, but later it was no longer something to laugh about. That was something that damaged German football. It wasn't pretty, the way it was portrayed in public. So we're all really happy that we have someone now and we're keeping our fingers crossed."
DID YOU KNOW?
Despite his criticisms, Magath backed Kompany’s appointment and said: “I am very happy that FC Bayern have once again signed a very good, successful player as a coach. I believe that there is still a need in the Bundesliga for former world-class players to bring their experience as coaches to the league."
However, the former coach tempered his optimism with a dose of realism about Bayern’s prospects in the 2024-25 campaign, adding: “Bayern will have a better season. The players have a much greater responsibility. They often had the coach as an excuse, but that is no longer the case. Bayern will no longer be dominant in the next one or two years."
WHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN?
Magath also drew parallels between Bayern Munich’s current situation and that of Manchester United post-Sir Alex Ferguson. “The situation with Alex Ferguson was basically the same as at Bayern with Uli Hoeness. Since Ferguson left, they haven't really been able to get back on their feet. They spend a lot of money, but they can't even get close to the top. They're now part of the second tier in England,” he explained.
As Kompany takes the reins at Bayern, the Bayern fans will be watching closely to see if he can defy the odds and lead the club back to success. His appointment, while controversial, could bring a fresh perspective and new strategies to a team in desperate need of rejuvenation. However, there is little doubt that the pressure will be immense, and the challenges significant.
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