Max Eberl in @SPORTBILD interview: "There's already a lot of talk that there will be a big cut [in the squad]. But first I have to get together with Christoph Freund to get an idea about how to finish the season in the best possible way in the short term. In the Champions League we are now playing against Arsenal, a top international team. We'll approach these games with courage - our goal is of course to reach the semi-finals. In the Bundesliga we are clearly in Leverkusen’s rearview mirror. We also have to decide: Who will be the coach from summer onwards. That is the biggest and most crucial question."
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Eberl on whether Thomas Tuchel could still stay next season: "The decision was made without me having a single word involved, even though it was reported differently. And that's completely fine. The decision to part ways was made together by the club and the coach. There was no discussion, no thought that we would not stick to this decision."
• What's your best argument to convince the new coach?
Eberl: "Do we really have to make Bayern Munich attractive to someone? I don't think so. FC Bayern has huge appeal and a very special history. Nobody from the outside threw in a billion and said: “Build something.” - Bayern Munich is one of the biggest clubs in Europe. The Bavarian, “Mia san mia” stands for itself: We are convinced of what we do. And we want a coach and players who are just as convinced and have this attitude."
Eberl: "Do we really have to make Bayern Munich attractive to someone? I don't think so. FC Bayern has huge appeal and a very special history. Nobody from the outside threw in a billion and said: “Build something.” - Bayern Munich is one of the biggest clubs in Europe. The Bavarian, “Mia san mia” stands for itself: We are convinced of what we do. And we want a coach and players who are just as convinced and have this attitude."
• Uli Hoeneß always only had a plan A when looking for a coach. What is your approach?
Eberl: "There is currently no plan A, B and C. We are analysing the situation: What does the squad look like, what DNA does the club have, what history. We're thinking carefully: Which coaches fit what we have? What does the club want to achieve. There are names that are on a list. In the end, of course, there are certain conditions that you always rightly ask about: What if it takes too long - What if it becomes too expensive, or if the candidate doesn't want to come. We have a list, that we want to work through and have conversations in calm. Based on the information, feasibility and agreement - club, squad, coach - we'll try to make the best decision."
Eberl: "There is currently no plan A, B and C. We are analysing the situation: What does the squad look like, what DNA does the club have, what history. We're thinking carefully: Which coaches fit what we have? What does the club want to achieve. There are names that are on a list. In the end, of course, there are certain conditions that you always rightly ask about: What if it takes too long - What if it becomes too expensive, or if the candidate doesn't want to come. We have a list, that we want to work through and have conversations in calm. Based on the information, feasibility and agreement - club, squad, coach - we'll try to make the best decision."
• Does Xabi Alonso fit into these parameters and into FC Bayern?
Eberl: "He played for FC Bayern. But I don't want to provoke headlines: 'Xabi fits with Bayern!' - I'm talking about him knowing this club. He's under contract at Bayer Leverkusen, can win the domestic double there and the Europa League as well. But to return to the question: there are coaches who fit with FC Bayern, yes"
Eberl: "He played for FC Bayern. But I don't want to provoke headlines: 'Xabi fits with Bayern!' - I'm talking about him knowing this club. He's under contract at Bayer Leverkusen, can win the domestic double there and the Europa League as well. But to return to the question: there are coaches who fit with FC Bayern, yes"
• Is it nonsense that Xabi Alonso's camp has already told you he won't be joining FC Bayern?
Eberl: "I haven't spoken with any coach and haven't received any approval or rejection"
Eberl: "I haven't spoken with any coach and haven't received any approval or rejection"
• How many candidates do you have on your list?
Eberl: "There are more than four, but certainly not 40 names on it. It is our duty to think everything through - there are also unusual ideas on the list. We're exchanging ideas in order to get the best possible essence: We need and want to get to know people and their entourage. We want to identify a lot of things in advance and then hold the two or three final discussions at the end."
Eberl: "There are more than four, but certainly not 40 names on it. It is our duty to think everything through - there are also unusual ideas on the list. We're exchanging ideas in order to get the best possible essence: We need and want to get to know people and their entourage. We want to identify a lot of things in advance and then hold the two or three final discussions at the end."
Eberl: "How naive would I be to mention a desired candidate now and then we end up not getting him. Maybe in the end our best decision would be to hire a coach who hasn't been rumoured [in the media]. Then people will probably say: 'Bayern didn't manage to get Xabi Alonso' - but maybe that was exactly our conscious decision"
• Are there names on the list that haven't been rumoured in the media?
Eberl: "Yes"
• Are there names on the list that haven't been rumoured in the media?
Eberl: "Yes"
• Sebastian Hoeneß has extended his contract at Stuttgart. Has his name been removed from the list?
Eberl: "One name has been removed. But I just spoke about unusual ideas, about many thoughts. Sebastian is doing outstandingly well in Stuttgart. With the extension, the topic has now been removed. But please: That doesn't mean that Sebastian was our top solution and that we were rejected. I can reveal this much: Jupp Heynckes isn't on the list, I think he's no longer interested.."
Eberl: "One name has been removed. But I just spoke about unusual ideas, about many thoughts. Sebastian is doing outstandingly well in Stuttgart. With the extension, the topic has now been removed. But please: That doesn't mean that Sebastian was our top solution and that we were rejected. I can reveal this much: Jupp Heynckes isn't on the list, I think he's no longer interested.."
• Would José Mourinho be in the category of 'crazy ideas'?
Eberl: "Of course we're also looking into coaches who are currently available"
• Mourinho is learning German. Do you know how good his German has gotten?
Eberl: "No, I don't know"
Eberl: "Of course we're also looking into coaches who are currently available"
• Mourinho is learning German. Do you know how good his German has gotten?
Eberl: "No, I don't know"
• Does the new coach have to have worked in the Bundesliga before?
Eberl: "If I were to limit myself like that in terms of language, age or coaching career, it would be a mistake. The focus is open and then gradually becomes smaller. We want a coach who doesn't stay for a short period of time, but is here for the medium and long term. This is an important constant when it comes to squad planning and strategy. The frequent changes of coach have recently been a problem for the club."
Eberl: "If I were to limit myself like that in terms of language, age or coaching career, it would be a mistake. The focus is open and then gradually becomes smaller. We want a coach who doesn't stay for a short period of time, but is here for the medium and long term. This is an important constant when it comes to squad planning and strategy. The frequent changes of coach have recently been a problem for the club."
• You and Jürgen Klopp have the same agent. Will you call him, even though he said he's taking a sabbatical?
Eberl: "I know what it means when Kloppo said: “I'm running out of energy.” - Few people can judge that better than me, because I went through it. When a person says that, the job comes second. And people come first. That's why I'm not going to call him."
Eberl: "I know what it means when Kloppo said: “I'm running out of energy.” - Few people can judge that better than me, because I went through it. When a person says that, the job comes second. And people come first. That's why I'm not going to call him."
• Could a late decision over the new coach be a problem regarding signing new players?
Eberl: "It's not about making quick decisions, but smart ones. Therefore we will not allow ourselves to be rushed. Of course, this can mean that one or two players will no longer be on the market. If I'm talking about the most suitable coach and the most suitable players, then it doesn't make sense to sign players and then present a new coach with a fait accompli. Yes, I know the timeline isn't easy. But we want to make the best possible decisions. It's better to have a coach who really wants a player and specifically makes him better - than to have a player the coach doesn't want. By the way, that wouldn't be fair to the player either."
Eberl: "It's not about making quick decisions, but smart ones. Therefore we will not allow ourselves to be rushed. Of course, this can mean that one or two players will no longer be on the market. If I'm talking about the most suitable coach and the most suitable players, then it doesn't make sense to sign players and then present a new coach with a fait accompli. Yes, I know the timeline isn't easy. But we want to make the best possible decisions. It's better to have a coach who really wants a player and specifically makes him better - than to have a player the coach doesn't want. By the way, that wouldn't be fair to the player either."
• How much are you already working on player lists?
Eberl: "There are scouting sessions and we're thinking about contract terms. Without us having already made any decisions. I enjoy putting together these pieces of the puzzle with squad planning and 'internal transfers' - that's what I call contract extensions - What positions do we see, where do we want to make improvements? I like to approach things analytically and strategically. In the future, our goal is to act and plan early: we will start working on the 2025/26 squad from September 2024 at the latest."
Eberl: "There are scouting sessions and we're thinking about contract terms. Without us having already made any decisions. I enjoy putting together these pieces of the puzzle with squad planning and 'internal transfers' - that's what I call contract extensions - What positions do we see, where do we want to make improvements? I like to approach things analytically and strategically. In the future, our goal is to act and plan early: we will start working on the 2025/26 squad from September 2024 at the latest."
• In what financial framework are you operating?
Eberl: "We are not in the land of milk and honey, we cannot paint the world as we like it. Possible transfers include sales in order to have the financial means to do something. We have to face the reality: what financial means do we have in order to realize our wishes in how many positions"
Eberl: "We are not in the land of milk and honey, we cannot paint the world as we like it. Possible transfers include sales in order to have the financial means to do something. We have to face the reality: what financial means do we have in order to realize our wishes in how many positions"
Eberl: "I'm not worried. I know we'll have [financial] possibilities in the summer. But they are not limitless. We can't and don't want to make transfers like Harry Kane's every summer. We need 14, 15 top players. There are also players like Aleks Pavlović, who is now pushing his way into the top 15. This is what the thought process of squad planning looks like. I know that Bayern is an extremely healthy club. But I know there are financial limits."
• Are sales necessary for the rebuild ?
Eberl: "No club - this also applies to Bayern Munich - wants to lose players for free if they cannot agree on a contract extension. This includes two or three parties. If players no longer want to be here, you have to make decisions. We want to have players who stand for Bayern Munich, who want to identify with the club. I would like to have this motivation represented in the squad."
Eberl: "No club - this also applies to Bayern Munich - wants to lose players for free if they cannot agree on a contract extension. This includes two or three parties. If players no longer want to be here, you have to make decisions. We want to have players who stand for Bayern Munich, who want to identify with the club. I would like to have this motivation represented in the squad."
• Have you spoken to Joshua Kimmich, whose contract expires in 2025?
Eberl: "Yes, I recently spoke to Josh."
• What do you think about a player wanting to negotiate a contract without an agent? Uli Hoeneß was always a big fan of that.
Eberl: "That's rather unusual, I only experienced this kind of independence with Martin Stranzl in Gladbach. A player who knows what he wants, with whom you can speak directly face to face: That makes things easier."
Eberl: "Yes, I recently spoke to Josh."
• What do you think about a player wanting to negotiate a contract without an agent? Uli Hoeneß was always a big fan of that.
Eberl: "That's rather unusual, I only experienced this kind of independence with Martin Stranzl in Gladbach. A player who knows what he wants, with whom you can speak directly face to face: That makes things easier."
• Will Leroy Sané's contract only be extended if he no longer demands €20m/year?
Eberl: "I don't want to talk about money at all. The contracts were signed in full consciousness of both parties. Money is a part of it. Leroy has outstanding qualities, but fluctuations from time to time. We have to decide with him: What does he want, what are his plans for the future? Does he have the desire to go into the future with us, to take on something new? In general, it's always about a commitment to the club."
Eberl: "I don't want to talk about money at all. The contracts were signed in full consciousness of both parties. Money is a part of it. Leroy has outstanding qualities, but fluctuations from time to time. We have to decide with him: What does he want, what are his plans for the future? Does he have the desire to go into the future with us, to take on something new? In general, it's always about a commitment to the club."
Eberl on Goretzka: "He has been very present in the last few games and the interaction with Aleks Pavlović works very well. The fact that he is not part of the national team was a setback for him. In situations like this I always try to talk to the player and we have known each other for a long time. I already wanted to bring him from Bochum to Gladbach. We have a good basis of trust. For us he is an important player"
• You met Alphonso Davies' agent last week? How are the talks going?
Eberl: "The negotiations have been going on for a long time, but were a bit broken last summer. We are working on this topic."
• Have you heard about Real Madrid's interest?
Eberl: "Real Madrid hasn't contacted us. I can say that we made Alphonso a very concrete, appreciative offer. At some point in life you have to say yes or no"
Eberl: "The negotiations have been going on for a long time, but were a bit broken last summer. We are working on this topic."
• Have you heard about Real Madrid's interest?
Eberl: "Real Madrid hasn't contacted us. I can say that we made Alphonso a very concrete, appreciative offer. At some point in life you have to say yes or no"
• Are you still looking for a holding midfielder?
Eberl: "Defensive midfield is an area of the squad in which we're keeping our eyes open. But it also depends on how we want to play football. In the past, Bayern almost always played 4-2-3-1, so there was no lone #6 in that sense. A system change could then lead to other players, who are currently dissatisfied, being given a different role."
Eberl: "Defensive midfield is an area of the squad in which we're keeping our eyes open. But it also depends on how we want to play football. In the past, Bayern almost always played 4-2-3-1, so there was no lone #6 in that sense. A system change could then lead to other players, who are currently dissatisfied, being given a different role."
• Is a backup for Harry Kane needed to replace Choupo-Moting?
Eberl: "With Mathys Tel we have a striker who can play centrally. We can't say yet whether he will play there permanently one day. This season he came over the wing a lot and had a big influence there. Bayern Munich stands for attack and goals. That's why we're obviously thinking about a second number 9. We don't know yet today whether we might be playing with two strikers"
Eberl: "With Mathys Tel we have a striker who can play centrally. We can't say yet whether he will play there permanently one day. This season he came over the wing a lot and had a big influence there. Bayern Munich stands for attack and goals. That's why we're obviously thinking about a second number 9. We don't know yet today whether we might be playing with two strikers"
• During your unveiling, you deliberately mentioned Jamal Musiala and Mathys Tel. Do they stand for the future of FC Bayern?
Eberl: "They are faces of the future. If you look at my history, there have always been young players with extremely great talent and potential that we had in the squad. This is the case with Jamal, Mathys and Aleks Pavlović. Mathys has already extended until 2029 - with Jamal, an extension is a big goal, there can be no other option for us. This support for young players does not mean that we do not value experienced players. They help ensure the development of these talented players"
Eberl: "They are faces of the future. If you look at my history, there have always been young players with extremely great talent and potential that we had in the squad. This is the case with Jamal, Mathys and Aleks Pavlović. Mathys has already extended until 2029 - with Jamal, an extension is a big goal, there can be no other option for us. This support for young players does not mean that we do not value experienced players. They help ensure the development of these talented players"
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