Is the original #Project2026 alive…and the revised #Project2026 fading?
Report says Haaland could push for City exit if club misses UCL qualification (El Nacional via 90Min.com)
Is there a window for Bayern Munich to take another run at Manchester City striker Erling Haaland?
Maybe…probably not, but maybe.
According to a report out of Spain, Haaland will seek a move out of Manchester City if the club does not qualify for the Champions League next season. Real Madrid would be the leader in the clubhouse to get Haaland (good luck sharing the ball there):
If Manchester City miss out on Champions League qualification, Erling Haaland will push for a move away from the Premier League, with Real Madrid listed as his most likely destination.
It would be a longshot for Bayern Munich to get involved with this, but it is (somewhat) conceivable if the following things happen:
- Manchester City does not achieve qualification (possible, but not likely).
- Real Madrid has a bout of selfishness within the squad during the rest of its Champions League run that becomes a widely-reported on issue (very possible).
- Bayern Munich wins a trophy this season…(likely).
- And Harry Kane gets that elusive trophy and decided to head home to England (not likely, but possible).
Yeah, it is a longshot, but let #Project2026 dream a little, okay.
Kane on how he’s changed over time (Soccer Bible via @iMiaSanMia)
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is not the same player he was a few years ago. The English constantly seeks to evolve and thinks his game has matured nicely through the years.
“I still feel 21 in my head! But I think I’ve matured a lot. Becoming a husband and father has been life-changing, and from a professional perspective, I’ve learned so much. I’ve experienced highs and lows, but I feel like I’ve grown every year. Time flies, but I’m trying to soak in every moment and enjoy the journey,” said Kane.
Bavarian Podcast Works — The Bundesliga Rundown with Marcus Iredahl: Matchday 26 (Bavarian Football Works)
Matchday 26 had it all—last-minute drama, shock results, and fan protests! In this episode, we dive into:
- Can Bayer Leverkusen finally dethrone Bayern Munich?
- FC Augsburg’s record-breaking defence.
- Eintracht Frankfurt’s ultras and the 50-minute delay in Bochum.
- …and much more!
Hainer says culture will carry club forward (Abendzeitung via @iMiaSanMia)
If there is one standout trait of Bayern Munich, it could be the club’s culture. Club president Herbert Hainer prides himself on that club culture.
“The situation in the sporting management with Max Eberl, Christoph Freund and Vincent Kompany is promising. It’s now a matter of driving the upheaval in the team at a high level, and we are on the right track: Manuel Neuer will continue to be available to the team as captain; with Aleks Pavlović, Josip Stanišić and also Alphonso Davies after his contract extension, the next generation is being brought up that will one day set the tone. FC Bayern has always been strong when players have taken on responsibility and internalized the club. The ‘Mia san mia’ carries this club – that will and must remain so in the future,” Hainer remarked.
NUFC keeping tabs on Kolo Muani (ESPN)
Newcastle United could be a player for Randal Kolo Muani this summer:
Newcastle United are keeping tabs on the situation of on-loan Juventus striker Randal Kolo Muani, according to Calciomercato. The 26-year-old, who is currently on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, is reported to be on the Magpies’ short list as a potential replacement for Alexander Isak if he leaves St. James’ Park in the summer. It is expected, however, that Newcastle could face some competition from other Premier League clubs. But Kolo Muani is reportedly open to remaining in Turin if the Bianconeri secure qualification to the Champions League.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 7, Episode 34 (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich sputtered into the international break with an unexpected 1-1 draw on the road with Union Berlin.
We’ll talk about that and some of the other burning issues going on with the Bavarians at the moment. This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works Show:
- Why did Bayern Munich look so unfocused and fall apart against Union Berlin? Let’s discuss.
- It’s not time to worry about Jonas Urbig.
- Why is Vincent Kompany still so reluctant to rotate?
- Leroy Sané’s last minute rush for a new contract is upon us.
- Eric Dier could get a new deal, but it still feels unlikely.
- Who from Bayern Munich is unsellable?
- Oh yeah, it’s a race again.
Kompany’s philosophy on motivation (FIFA.com via @iMiaSanMia)
For Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany has a very simple philosophy when it comes to motivation.
“Be hungry or go somewhere else. It’s very simple,” Kompany noted.
Well, that makes sense.
Van Dijk rumors are off base per report (@Plettigoal)
There have been some rumors linking Bayern Munich to Liverpool FC center-back Virgil van Dijk, but Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg says that there is no substance to the whispers:
Many new rumours linking FC Bayern with Virgil van Dijk are wide of the mark!
The 33-y/o world-class defender is currently not a topic at Bayern. There have also been no concrete talks or negotiations in recent times.
Instead, Liverpool are still doing everything they can to extend his contract beyond the season and remain optimistic. #LFC
Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show: Union Berlin 1-1 Bayern Munich (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich came away with a performance to forget in a 1-1 draw in the German capital against Union Berlin. The Bayern performance left more questions than answers; if Vincent Kompany can set his team up to play with fluency, why does Bayern consistently fail against low blocks? Bayern nonetheless created a nine point gap at the top and the Bundesliga title race seems all but mathematically decided:
- The lineups of both sides and what they looked like on the pitch.
- Some thoughts about Serge Gnabry’s starting role today.
- Some praise for Josip Stanišić.
- Why this draw resembled Bayern’s defeats against Aston Villa and Feyenoord.
- Should Kompany have made more changes in this game?
Fenerbahçe SK wants Kostić permanently (Nicolo Schira via ESPN)
It has been a while since Filip Kostić was toiling away in the Bundesliga, but he is still alive and kicking. As it turns out, Fenerbahçe wants to keep him longer:
Fenerbahçe are preparing an offer to make Filip Kostić’s loan transfer from Juventus permanent this summer.
United eyeing two BuLi strikers (ESPN)
Manchester United has identified RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike as two strikers that it would like to pursue this summer:
Manchester United have added RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike to their shortlist amid their search to sign a striker, reports Sky Sports Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg. The Red Devils are said to be “intensively scouting” options, with enquiries having already been made regarding whether either would be open to a move to Old Trafford in the summer. Sesko, 21 has scored 16 goals across 35 games in all competitions this season, while the 22-year-old Ekitike has scored 19 in 37 matches. Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, however, remain at the top of the wanted list.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show Season 4, Episode 34 (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich has one more game before it will hit an international break — and there is much to talk about, so let’s not waste any time.
This is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
- As a heads up, I was kidnapped for this episode or thrown down a well — my mic actually bit the dust right before recording, so a back-up was used (no fear, a new mic is on the way!).
- Rejoice! Joshua Kimmich as re-upped.
- What we are doing with talkSport.
- How are we feeling about Bayern Munich as the squad takes a break?
- Leon Goretzka just keeps going — and Vincent Kompany wants to keep him. Will the coach’s endorsement be enough?
- Leroy Sané has a very tough decision to make.
- A brief Entertainment Rundown where we focus on the first two episodes of Daredevil: Born Again.
