Levi Rothermund
Max Eberl’s tenure as FC Bayern’s sporting director, set to run until summer 2027, is reportedly on shaky ground. German sports magazine Sport Bild estimates the chances of his contract extension beyond that date at just 50:50. The core issue, according to the report, stems from a lack of complete trust between Eberl and the club’s top brass, even after two years.
Criticism Mounts Over Decision-Making
Internally, Eberl faces criticism for not involving the supervisory board early enough in key decisions—especially those requiring their approval for expenditures above a certain monetary threshold. Furthermore, the former Borussia Mönchengladbach manager is said to push through contract deals too quickly. This haste, sources suggest, could sometimes lead to financial disadvantages for the club.
A prime example cited is the potential sale of winger Kingsley Coman to Al-Nassr. Despite Coman’s market value sitting at €30 million, Eberl reportedly agreed to a €25 million transfer fee with the Saudi club. This figure was deemed too low by Bayern’s executives, prompting CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen to renegotiate and, reportedly, secure an additional €5 million. Other reports clarify that Bayern received €25 million upfront, with an extra €5 million in bonuses.
Strained Relationships and Scouting Doubts
The internal culture of debate within Bayern’s leadership – a healthy disagreement for the club’s benefit, reminiscent of the days of Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge – remains challenging with Eberl. Adding to the uncertainty around his future, the contract of his close associate, Nils Schmadtke, whom Eberl brought in as head of scouting, is only slated for a one-year extension until 2027, mirroring Eberl’s own contract end date. Eberl himself would have preferred a longer-term deal for Schmadtke.
Upcoming Board Discussions and Potential Successors
The board members’ contracts are slated for discussion at the supervisory board meeting in May, with final approvals expected in August. Club regulations typically allow for contract extensions with board members only one year before their current deals expire. While Eberl’s contract ends in 2027, so does Dreesen’s, and the latter’s continued collaboration with the 58-year-old is considered a mere formality. If Eberl were to depart, the club reportedly feels well-positioned with CEO Dreesen and sporting director Christoph Freund, who is also highly favored for an extension beyond 2027.
“Seems like things are going too well at Bayern right now. Every Eberl transfer has been spot on, he managed to offload an injury-prone Coman for good money, secured a top coach after numerous rejections (for which Eberl wasn’t to blame), and despite losing established players and saving millions in salaries, he’s built a Champions League contender,” observed one fan, indicating public confusion over the criticism.
Should Eberl leave, an immediate successor is unlikely. Eintracht Frankfurt’s Markus Krösche, often linked with Bayern, is currently not considered a candidate, despite his impressive track record at Frankfurt, where he oversaw an increase in squad value from €242 million to €390 million (a 61% rise). In contrast, since Eberl’s arrival in March 2024, Bayern’s total squad value has slightly decreased from €976 million to €960 million (a 1.7% drop).
“I don’t even like Eberl, but not holding onto him after having Brazzo and Kahn for years would be idiotic, even for Hoeneß,” another fan commented.