FC Bayern currently seem to be effortlessly outpacing their rivals in the Bundesliga. After 18 matchdays, they already have an eleven-point lead over Borussia Dortmund, the numbers are impressive and the performances are dominant. Chief Sports Officer Max Eberl has now explained why the record champions are currently in a league of their own – and spoke remarkably openly about the starting position a year and a half ago
When asked about the growing boredom at the top of the table, Eberl deliberately looked back in an interview with BILD. „I remember that we finished third in the league a year and a half ago. Back then, Bayer Leverkusen was the benchmark. VfB Stuttgart impressed with very attractive soccer. We were at rock bottom,“ said the 52-year-old, describing the situation from which FC Bayern developed its current strength. It was a phase in which we had to critically question ourselves – both in sporting and structural terms
Not a transfer attack, but a strategy
In this situation, the club made clear decisions without falling into hectic actionism. „We made decisions – without buying players left and right. We made good and smart decisions,“ emphasized Eberl. Instead of a major transfer offensive, Munich focused on targeted reinforcements and internal solutions
This was symbolized by signings such as Jonathan Tah and Tom Bischof, who came on a free transfer but immediately played a role in the sport. Added to this was the deliberate promotion of in-house talent. Players such as Lennart Karl and Wisdom Mike were given confidence and responsibility – not due to a lack of alternatives, but as part of a clear plan
Eberl made it clear that this development is closely linked to the work of head coach Vincent Kompany. „It’s not that we launched a major ‚transfer attack‘ – we had thoughts and ideas with our coach and developed a strategy,“ explained the Bayern boss. The common denominator: stability, clarity and a long-term approach
Kompany’s Bayern remain calm
The sporting record underpins this course impressively. 50 points after 18 match days, a goal difference of +57 and most recently the dominant 5:1 away win at RB Leipzig – Bayern are currently almost unstoppable. Even setbacks no longer rattle the team, as the Leipzig game once again showed
„The team knows what to do,“ praised Eberl, referring to the inner calm and clear understanding of roles within the team. Under Kompany, FC Bayern no longer reacts frantically, but with determination. Games are no longer forced, but turned around in a controlled manner – with mentality and quality
The fruits of a long-term plan
The fact that Eberl of all people, who has always been regarded as a sober, long-term thinking squad planner, is now reaping the rewards of this approach is also likely to be perceived internally as confirmation. „Now, a year and a half later, you can see that we have made good decisions,“ said the sporting director confidently, without falling into complacency
FC Bayern’s current superiority may dampen competition in the Bundesliga from a neutral perspective, but at Säbener Straße it is seen as the result of a deliberate course – not a product of chance. Patience instead of panic, structure instead of actionism and a coach who implements the plan on the pitch
FC Bayern is on the march – and knows exactly why.