FC Bayern continues to consistently focus on training its own talents. CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen has now made it clear why this approach is indispensable for the record champions – and what role the campus plays in this
The list is long and illustrious: Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Alaba, Müller – players who have shaped FC Bayern over the years and made the club what it is today. But the days when Munich could sign the best talents in Germany almost without competition are over. International competition, exploding transfer fees and a changed transfer landscape are forcing Munich to rethink. The answer: its own young talent
On Bayerischer Rundfunk’s Blickpunkt Sport programme, Jan-Christian Dreesen explained why the campus is so crucial to the club’s future. „We hope that even more talented players will make the leap, because we invest a lot in the campus,“ explained the CEO. The message is clear: FC Bayern doesn’t just want to buy, it wants to develop itself. „We can only keep up if we do good work with young talent.“
Karl as a prime example of the new generation
Lennart Karl is a particularly impressive example of how this strategy is working. The 17-year-old has established himself in the starting eleven at breathtaking speed under coach Vincent Kompany. What surprises many observers is that Karl appears surprisingly mature on the pitch, acting with a maturity that is rarely seen in a teenager. He regularly earns minutes at the highest level – a sign that Kompany trusts his home-grown talent
In this context, Dreesen drew a direct line to the club’s successful past. „It’s a continuation of Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Alaba, Badstuber and a few others I may have forgotten,“ said the 58-year-old. But he also made it clear that the new generation is already taking shape: „Now we’re talking about Stanisic, Pavlovic and Lennart Karl.“
Performance decides – not age
For Dreesen, however, the decisive factor is not age or background, but performance on the pitch. „If they perform, they will come through,“ he made clear. A statement that shows that FC Bayern relies on talent, but does not give away gifts. Anyone who wants to play in the record champions‘ jersey has to prove themselves – regardless of whether they are 17 or 27 years old
This philosophy has also prevailed under Kompany. The Belgian is regarded as a coach who gives young players opportunities, but at the same time challenges them. With Karl, but also Aleksandar Pavlovic or Josip Stanisic, there are players in the squad who have taken the path via the campus and are now an integral part of the professional ensemble
For FC Bayern, youth development has long been more than just a supplement to the transfer market. It is a strategic foundation at a time when international competition is becoming ever stronger and financial resources alone are no longer enough to stay at the top. Players like Karl show that the path is working.