Max Eberl is ushering in a change of mood at FC Bayern. According to an insider, the demeanour of the new sporting director is being praised within FCB. He is clearly different from his predecessors.
Max Eberl has now been officially in office at FC Bayern for exactly one week. The initial assessment of the new sporting director’s work is consistently positive – both externally and internally.
After the success in the second leg of the round of 16 against Lazio Rome, FCB is still represented in the top flight. And with Mathys Tel, an important building block for the Bayern team of the future has been secured until 2029.
Open communication style goes down well
But Eberl has also created a noticeably better atmosphere within FCB. As Sky reporter Florian Plettenberg reports, Eberl’s demeanour has been very well received because he consistently focuses on team spirit.
At his inaugural press conference, the 50-year-old emphasised: „Hierarchies don’t play a role in my world. I am someone who can work very well in a team. I need the expertise of the people around me.“
Eberl has proved in recent days that these are not just empty words. Not only through the Weißwurst breakfast he organised to mark his debut, but above all through his communication. He consistently speaks of „we“ and repeatedly mentions sports director Christoph Freund by name.
According to Plettenberg, Eberl cultivates an open style of communication, not only with his colleagues on the board but also with the rest of the FC Bayern staff.
The opposite of Kahn
The Bayern workforce experienced a different culture under CEO Oliver Kahn in particular. Shortly after his dismissal at the end of May, Honorary President Uli Hoeneß did not have a good word to say about Kahn. He had only surrounded himself with his advisors. They were responsible for the „catastrophically bad atmosphere“ at the club, Hoeneß scolded.
With Eberl, there is now apparently a change of mood. As announced, he is working with Freund „on an equal footing“. As a result, there does not seem to be any danger of a permanent conflict like the one between Hasan Salihamidzic and Hansi Flick smouldering over the entire club.
Eberl is also close to the team and brings his experience to the table. But one thing is also clear: Eberl will not just be the good-humoured uncle in Munich. „He will also make difficult decisions and is not afraid of big names,“ says Plettenberg.
Eberl will have to make these tough decisions in the coming weeks. He has to organise a major shake-up. International players such as Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry are at risk of being sold.
Alphonso Davies and Joshua Kimmich will also ultimately be a matter of finances. If no agreement can be reached on a contract extension with the two players, their sale in the summer is inevitable. The duo’s contract expires in 2025. Bayern will not want to lose either of them on a free transfer.
