FC Bayern is realigning its strategy – and is increasingly relying on a model that has already proven its worth in Salzburg. With the planned appointment of Dante as U23 coach, the Munich club is taking a new path that could also have an impact on the professional team in the long term
There has been a clear trend since Christoph Freund took over in the summer of 2023. The Austrian, who previously worked at RB Salzburg for 17 years, not only has a keen sense for talent, but also a clear idea of how sustainable development can work in soccer. Together with Chief Sports Officer Max Eberl, he is now also promoting this approach at FC Bayern
Dante as a symbol of the change in strategy
The appointment of Dante is emblematic of the new approach. 42-year-old Dante, who is currently still playing for OGC Nice, will end his active career in the summer and move seamlessly into the coaching business. The former Bayern defender has already acquired all the necessary licenses – so the way is paved
According to Sport BILD, those responsible at Säbener Straße see the appointment as the „starting signal“ for a new concept: young coaches are to be developed in a targeted manner – ideally with a Bayern past
The idea behind this is clear: in future, the U23s will no longer only serve the sporting development of players, but also as a platform for talented coaches, where they can gain their first experience, develop further and recommend themselves for higher tasks in the future
Salzburg as a role model – no long-term commitment
A central point of this model is the deliberate decision to forgo long-term continuity in the coaching position of the second team. Instead, the position is intended to serve as a springboard
The system already worked in exactly the same way in Salzburg under Freund, where coaches such as Oliver Glasner, Bo Svensson and Matthias Jaissle were given responsibility early on at farm team FC Liefering and were able to recommend themselves for bigger roles
This principle is now set to take effect in Munich, with Bayern hoping not only to improve the training of coaches, but also to gain a strategic advantage through their networks and identification with the club
Campus moves more into focus
The change in strategy is in line with the latest developments at the campus. With Michael Wiesinger as the new head and the realignment of the U23s, it is clear that the youth academy is to play an even more central role
Dante could become a key figure in this – as the first coach to embody this new model. If the concept works, more ex-professionals could follow this path in the future and recommend themselves for bigger tasks via the second team
For FC Bayern, this would be a sustainable step towards the future. In other words, Munich is not only investing in players – but increasingly also in its coaches.