„Has the Bayern gene“: Matthäus makes the case for Demichelis as FCB coach

FC Bayern is still looking for a new coach. Lothar Matthäus could imagine former FCB defender Martin Demichelis as the new coach at the German record champions.

The name Martin Demichelis has already been mentioned in the search for a new Bayern coach – now record international Lothar Matthäus has come out in favour of the Argentinian.

„I like the name. He has a Bayern past, has won titles, is well received by the players and has the Bayern gene. He also played big games for Bayern and won big titles,“ Matthäus said on Sky.

Former Bayern professional Demichelis is currently working successfully in his native Argentina, where he became champion in 2023 with the traditional club River Plate.

Demichelis previously coached Bayern’s U19s from 2019 to 2021 and then the second team in the 2020/21 season. Matthäus also believes the 43-year-old is capable of taking over Bayern’s professional squad: „He’s a positive guy, knows where he wants to go and has a clear message and line. If his age is right, because Karl-Heinz Rummenigge doesn’t necessarily want a young coach. But the name sounds interesting,“ Matthäus continued.

Language barrier with Demichelis?

Sky reporter Uli Köhler, however, was sceptical about Demichelis. The FCB expert sees a language barrier: „He only speaks broken German and not good English either,“ explained Köhler.

Bayern sporting director Max Eberl emphasised on Saturday that the new man on the sidelines should not necessarily speak German, but definitely English. This meant that former Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane was actually ruled out for the coaching position at the record champions.

Other candidates are also already off the list: Xabi Alonso will continue to coach Bayer Leverkusen, Julian Nagelsmann extended his contract with the DFB. For his part, Sebastian Hoeneß signed a new contract with VfB Stuttgart, while Roger Schmidt made a clear commitment to his current employer Benfica Lisbon, where he still has a contract until 2026.

However, Demichelis had already made it clear that he was not considering a move to FC Bayern: „The people who run Bayern know me so well that they wouldn’t call me while I’m at River Plate,“ he explained in March: „They know how much I love River and what I did to leave Bayern and come here.“