Far-reaching changes are on the horizon behind the scenes at FC Bayern. Following the departure of head of scouting Nils Schmadtke, the German record champions are working on a new structure for their talent search. While external candidates were recently being considered, an internal solution now appears to be taking shape. One prominent name has apparently been definitively ruled out.
As reported by *kicker*, sporting director Christoph Freund and youth academy director Jochen Sauer are driving the reorganization of the scouting department. The planning is taking place in close coordination with sporting director Max Eberl. The goal is to integrate the collaboration between the professional team and the youth academy more closely in the future.
Action is needed in several positions. In addition to the already finalized parting of ways with Schmadtke, an amicable departure is also imminent for Florian Zahn, who has been responsible for youth scouting at the Bayern Campus. The Munich club apparently intends to use these personnel changes as an opportunity to reorganize its entire scouting structure.
Vivell is no longer in the picture at FC Bayern
In recent months, Christopher Vivell’s name has repeatedly come up as a possible candidate for a leadership position in Bayern’s scouting department. The 39-year-old currently works at Manchester United and knows Christoph Freund from their time together at RB Salzburg.
However, it appears a potential signing will not materialize. According to information from *kicker*, Vivell no longer plays a role in the Munich club’s current considerations.
One reason could be the composition of the existing sports management team. With Freund, Jochen Sauer, Richard Kitzbichler, and Bernhard Seonbuchner, several executives with a background in the RB Salzburg organization are already working closely together.
Rather than bringing in another external executive, Bayern Munich apparently intends to strengthen its existing structures.
Sports Director Eberl had already announced recently that the vacant position would be filled internally.
Kresse is coming into focus
Christoph Kresse could play a central role in this. The 34-year-old has served as the Munich club’s chief scout since the spring and is expected to continue in this role under the new structure.
Kresse joined FC Bayern in 2024 alongside André Hechelmann. After Hechelmann moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach in March, Kresse took over his duties as head scout.
With Schmadtke’s departure, his importance could now grow even further. According to *kicker*, there are strong indications that the Munich club will once again rely on a unified scouting operation on campus in the future.
Under this model, the previous position of a senior scouting department head might no longer be necessary. The division would remain directly under sporting director Freund.
There are also no immediate plans to fill the vacant leadership position in youth scouting. First, the new overall concept is to be developed.
Wiesinger is set to take on an important role
In addition to Freund and Sauer, Michael Wiesinger is also playing a key role in the planning. The sporting director of the Bayern Campus is tasked in particular with promoting integration between the youth and professional divisions.
According to *kicker*, the former Bayern pro, who won the Champions League with the Munich club in 2001, enjoys a high level of trust within the club.
This points to a clear direction: Instead of bringing in new executives from outside, the record champion is relying on existing staff and shorter decision-making processes.
For Bayern, the reorganization is not just about filling the gaps left by the departures of Schmadtke and Zahn. Rather, the goal is to create a scouting structure that will identify talent for the professional squad and the club’s own youth system even more effectively in the future.