Will Michael Olise stay with FC Bayern beyond this summer? Apparently, that’s not a sure thing. Expert Julia Simic warns the Munich club not to rest on their laurels too soon—and explains what the club can do.
The Frenchman is one of the most standout players this season—and that’s exactly what’s drawing the attention of the biggest clubs. Real Madrid and PSG are reportedly interested in Olise, whose contract in Munich actually runs through 2029. In an interview with SPORT1, Julia Simic explains why a departure still can’t be ruled out.
The assistant coach of the Swiss women’s national team, currently serving as a World Cup expert, assesses the situation objectively. Even Uli Hoeneß’s clear veto isn’t the final word: “When Uli Hoeneß puts his foot down like that, I think it’s more of an initial reaction—it doesn’t necessarily have to be final. Because in the end, there are always three parties involved. The player also has a say in the decision.”
The ongoing World Cup could play a special role in this. Olise is presumably talking things over with teammates who are under contract with Real Madrid or PSG. “Let’s see what the mood is like there during the tournament,” says Simic. A final assessment is therefore hardly possible at this time.
Simic warns against a repeat of the Dembélé scenario
For Simic, one prominent example shows that a contract running through 2029 is no guarantee: Ousmane Dembélé, who once played for Borussia Dortmund. “He more or less forced his way out of Dortmund back then,” the expert recalls. “If at some point—over the next two, three, four, or five weeks—he feels he has to leave, then players often manage to extricate themselves from these contractual situations.” While a high transfer fee might be possible in that case, a player of this caliber simply cannot be replaced.
Simic leaves no doubt as to how valuable Olise is to FC Bayern: “Apart from Harry Kane, no one else comes close to the star power that Olise has right now.” She even thinks a Ballon d’Or is possible: “With his left foot, his right foot, his movement, his assists—even his goals. I think you rarely see that at this level.”
To keep Olise, Simic sees two key strategies: an early contract extension—and a sporting commitment. With new signings like Ismael Saibari and Nathaniel Brown, the squad could be strengthened in key areas: “I’m a huge Brown fan,” she emphasizes. If one or two more world-class transfers are added, Simic believes the Munich team is capable of pulling off a major upset.
Last season sets the benchmark: In the Champions League semifinal against PSG, they ultimately fell just short: “That was a 50-50 game in the semifinal against PSG—Bayern could have won that one too,” says Simic.