Max Eberl has worked his way out of the shadows at FC Bayern. After a bumpy start, public criticism and internal friction, the sporting director has now become one of the key decision-makers at Säbener Strasse. The question that now almost inevitably arises: will the 52-year-old be rewarded for this development with a new contract?
In sporting terms, FC Bayern is back on track in the Bundesliga after two games without a win in a row. The 5:1 win against Hoffenheim made it clear that the performances against Augsburg and Hamburg were really just slip-ups
But it’s not just on the pitch that things are going well, calm has also long since returned behind the scenes – also thanks to Eberl
Clarity instead of chaos: Eberl’s line is working
In recent weeks, FC Bayern has settled several personnel matters quietly and comprehensibly. Serge Gnabry extended his contract until 2028 last week, Dayot Upamecano is about to sign a new contract and it has been openly communicated that Leon Goretzka will part ways in the summer. The loan of Sacha Boey to Galatasaray is also part of a clear squad logic and saves the club money in the short term
These decisions bear a clear signature. FC Bayern appears structured, predictable and capable of taking action – qualities that were often lacking in the months before Eberl took office. The fact that Munich does not currently have any major construction sites to deal with is no coincidence, but the result of strategic work
Hit rate on the transfer market
Together with Christoph Freund, Eberl had already set the decisive course in the summer. Although prominent players such as Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade were lost, the alternatives proved to be a direct hit. Jonathan Tah stabilized the defence, Tom Bischof fitted in as a flexible building block, Luis Díaz immediately developed into a difference-maker. The sale of Kingsley Coman also created space for the integration of top talent Lennart Karl
The real coup, however, came on the coaching bench. In Vincent Kompany, Eberl signed a coach who had previously been considered more of a risk than a safe solution. Today, it is clear that this decision was a landmark one. FC Bayern once again has a clear playing idea, a recognisable signature and sporting development, not least thanks to transfers such as Michael Olise, who has played a decisive role in shaping the face of the team
Uli Hoeneß demonstratively withdrew him from the Club World Cup in the USA in the summer in order to involve him more in the operational business in Munich and publicly criticized him for his alleged sensitivity in transfer matters. At the time, Eberl still seemed like a sports director on probation
Today, there is little left of that. Eberl appears confident, explains decisions calmly and convinces both internally and externally. „In the long run, we made good decisions,“ he said recently – without triumph, but with self-confidence. The emancipation is complete. Or, to put it in Bavarian terms: eberlcipated to the maximum
Contract until 2027 – and then?
Eberl’s contract runs until 30 June 2027, so formally there is no pressure to act. But at FC Bayern, signs are being set before they are needed. The supervisory board, which includes Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, will decide on his future
According to media reports, Eberl will have to be patient. A decision will not be made until September at the earliest. According to the Abendzeitung München, however, there is currently a very clear tendency that Eberl will be rewarded with a new contract.