Things are going better than ever in sporting terms at the Bayern Campus – and yet Markus Weinzierl faces an uncertain future. FC Bayern’s youth academy is being restructured, which has a direct impact on his role
Markus Weinzierl has been the sporting director of FC Bayern’s youth academy since August 2024. During this time, the campus has developed into a real talent factory whose products now regularly make appearances at the Allianz Arena. Names such as Lennart Karl, Wisdom Mike, Cassiano Kiala and David Santos are examples of a development that has received a lot of recognition both internally and externally. It is therefore all the more surprising that Weinzierl’s contract, which expires in the summer, has not yet been extended
Successes on campus – but new plans at Säbener Straße
Lennart Karl in particular is the face of this development. The 17-year-old has developed from campus player to professional under Vincent Kompany and embodies exactly what the record champions‘ youth development work should stand for. Other talents are also pushing up the ranks, which reinforces the impression that the work on campus is currently bearing fruit
At the same time, FC Bayern is apparently planning a structural reorientation. According to consistent media reports, Michael Wiesinger is to be installed as the new sporting director. The former Bayern professional, currently primarily responsible for youth development at 1. FC Nürnberg, is to take on a central role at the Campus from 1 July. Wiesinger is considered the preferred candidate, although details of a possible change are still to be clarified
This appointment would also mean a shift in internal responsibilities. Responsibility for the Campus would no longer lie with sporting director Max Eberl in future, but would pass to sporting director Christoph Freund. In collaboration with Campus manager Jochen Sauer and Wiesinger, Freund would be responsible for the strategic direction of the youth development work. Sauer, in turn, would be relieved of this role as he is heavily involved in the international „Red and Gold“ project
Weinzierl between coach DNA and manager profile
For Markus Weinzierl, this raises the fundamental question of his future role. The Straubing-born coach, who once replaced his former player Halil Altintop at FC Bayern, is clearly to be seen as a soccer practitioner. This is apparently precisely where the sticking point lies. Weinzierl confirmed to the Augsburger Allgemeine that he had been in talks about a reorientation of his role and made it clear that the profile of the sporting director would shift more towards management, contracts and consultant contacts in the future
„That’s certainly less mine,“ Weinzierl explained openly. His wish is to remain close to the day-to-day sporting business – either as a coach or as sporting director. Ideally still at the Bayern campus, but not at any price
Weinzierl’s sporting expertise is undisputed. As a coach, he led FC Augsburg to fifth place in 2014/15 and thus into the Europa League, even winning with FCA in Munich – a historic moment to this day. This experience also flowed into his work at FC Bayern
Whether the possible arrival of Wiesinger automatically means Weinzierl’s departure is currently open. Internally, it is emphasised that several solutions are conceivable. However, one thing is clear: FC Bayern is facing a strategic decision. If they want to continue to use Weinzierl’s coaching DNA, they need a suitable profile. Otherwise, a new chapter could begin – for both sides