A total of seven contracts expire at FC Bayern in the summer of 2026. Those responsible at Säbener Straße are therefore facing a labour-intensive phase in which numerous talks must be held and strategic decisions made. Despite the delicate starting position, sporting director Christoph Freund appears completely relaxed when he talks about the upcoming contract marathon.
It is already clear that players such as Manuel Neuer, Dayot Upamecano, Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry are key figures in the team. Many of these key players will no longer have valid working papers in Munich after the end of the current season, but there is nothing to suggest that this situation is causing any unrest among the record champions‘ management team. Instead, they are confident that the upcoming talks will be held at the right time.
Upamecano as a priority – and yet no rush
While there is no sense of urgency with players such as Goretzka, Gnabry, Neuer or Raphael Guerreiro and the situation is assessed in a relaxed manner, the extension with Dayot Upamecano is particularly important for the club. The 27-year-old centre-back has been on the radar of several top European clubs for months, and his development under Vincent Kompany has also brought him into focus. It is no secret that Bayern bosses are aware of this, but that does not change the calmness with which Munich are currently acting.
Christoph Freund clearly underlines this attitude. When asked about the concerns that could arise when players are officially allowed to talk to other clubs from January, the sporting director explains: „We are in good talks, we have our plan. We know which contracts are expiring. We know that they will be allowed to talk to other clubs in January. But that doesn’t make us nervous, because we are in good contact with our players and their advisors.“
Clear course despite major challenges
Even if seven expiring contracts initially sounds like an enormous burden, Freund’s statement signals that Bayern is staying in control. The club is not taking a hectic approach, but is instead focusing on continuity and structure. The most important personnel matters are being tackled gradually – with Upamecano as the central building block, but also with a clear view of the long-term squad architecture.