Nils Schmadtke’s future at FC Bayern appears to be uncertain. While Max Eberl publicly defends his close confidant, there have reportedly been internal criticisms of the chief scout for months. There is also a sensational allegation circulating.
FC Bayern may be facing a personnel change in its sports management. According to media reports, Nils Schmadtke is on the verge of being let go as head scout of the German record champions. What’s particularly explosive: Internally, the work of the 37-year-old and his department has reportedly been viewed critically since the spring.
According to a report by SPORT1, the discussions are not limited to the scouting department’s sports-related work. Certain decision-makers within the club are also said to suspect that information about FC Bayern’s personnel planning has repeatedly leaked to the public from this department.
It remains to be seen whether and to what extent these suspicions are actually influencing a potential separation. According to the report, however, the criticism of Schmadtke’s department could play a role in the decision regarding his future.
Schmadtke has been chief scout at FC Bayern only since October 2024. After taking office, he implemented changes within the scouting department. He shares a long history with sporting director Max Eberl from their time together at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Eberl has publicly come to Schmadtke’s defense.
Eberl himself declined to confirm that his close associate might be leaving following the 4-2 friendly win against 1. FC Heidenheim. “No, to be honest, I can’t confirm that,” the 52-year-old explained. He then referred to the current contract situation: “Nils still has a year left on his contract, just like me.”
The sporting director also defended Schmadtke against the growing public criticism and explicitly included him in his assessment of the team’s performance. “I think the team’s current standing is the collective achievement of the sporting management,” Eberl emphasized.
The Bayern boss considers it fundamentally legitimate to question individual officials and their performance. However, he feels the current discussion surrounding Schmadtke has gone too far: “As I said, you can always discuss the quality of a person’s work. But what’s happening right now—this whole wave that’s building up—I honestly think it’s too much.”
He said that how the club treats the individuals involved is particularly important to him. “Whether he stays at Bayern or not, we shouldn’t defame people. For me, everything that’s being written about Nils Schmadtke right now is a bit too much,” Eberl added.
These comments are also interesting because Eberl himself is reportedly set to extend his contract with FC Bayern. His current contract, like Schmadtke’s, runs through 2027.
Vivell is being touted as a possible successor
Despite Eberl’s public support, the Munich club is apparently already considering a potential successor. According to tz, Christopher Vivell is considered a candidate should the collaboration with Schmadtke indeed come to an end.
The 39-year-old currently heads Manchester United’s scouting department and remains under contract there through 2027. Previously, Vivell worked for Chelsea FC, RB Leipzig, TSG Hoffenheim, and RB Salzburg, among others.
He knows Bayern’s sporting director, Christoph Freund, very well from his time in Salzburg, where the two worked together for several years. Unlike Schmadtke, however, Vivell has no shared professional history with Eberl.
If Bayern were indeed to try to bring Vivell over from Manchester, a transfer fee would likely be required due to his ongoing contract. For now, however, it remains to be seen whether Schmadtke will actually be let go. In any case, Eberl has publicly denied reports of his close associate’s imminent departure.