Bayern Munich is preparing to take on Inter Milan…
Eberl acknowledges plan in place, but tough decisions to be made (Sport1-Doppelpass via @iMiaSanMia)
Bayern Munich board member for sport Max Eberl saw the most recent report on potential contract extensions for Leroy Sané, Sven Ulreich, and Eric Dier, plus a multitude of rumors involving other players including Leon Goretzka.
Eberl is not just reading about that life, he is living it.
“These are precisely the decisions between economic rationality and sporting success. We have a plan for the summer. That will probably include sales, but also new investments. This is a path that won’t be done in a snap of a finger,” said Eberl. “I was able to work in Gladbach and Leipzig. Bayern is a whole new category. We want to achieve maximum success. We’re pursuing that because it’s my dream, too. The other side is also concerned about money. There’s the fixed deposit account, which has suffered. Uli Hoeneß said that, too. It’s no secret. I get involved, and I can’t please everyone.
“I make decisions with Christoph Freund, Vincent Kompany, the board, and the supervisory board. The expensive extensions were unavoidable in order to achieve success again in the future. We explained to the supervisory board what we plan to do for the next 18 months. You can’t simply terminate existing contracts. That’s why we have an expensive squad. But we have a clear plan to achieve sporting success and reduce salary costs.”
There has been some doubt that a formal plan was in place for the strategic direction of roster — and seemingly that has been proven to be true given situations like the one that just happened with Thomas Müller and the rumored change-of-heart on players like Dier and Goretzka.
Now, though, it does seem as if Bayern Munich is moving toward…something. What exactly that looks like to start the 2025/26 campaign, remains to be seen.
Wirtz the “dream option” for City (ESPN)
The transfer rumor mill on Bayer Leverkusen ace Florian Wirtz is in full force.
One day he is leaning toward staying with Die Werkself to enhance his leadership skills, the next he is thinking about jumping ship in a mega-deal this summer. All the while, Bayern Munich can only sit and wait for the precocious Germany international to make up his mind…but the Bavarians are not the only club lying in wait.
Manchester City wants Wirtz badly as it revamps its roster and considers him a “dream option” for Pep Guardiola:
The “dream” option for Manchester City this summer is Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz, reports Fabrizio Romano. The 21-year-old is said to be seen as an ideal replacement to succeed midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who announced on Friday his upcoming departure at the end of the season. The Mirror adds that City would be willing to pay a fee of £100 million for Wirtz. However, a move for him could be difficult with the BayArena hierarchy having already proposed a new contract that would include a release clause for the summer of 2026. Wirtz is also believed to be on the radar of Bayern Munich.
After vocalizing financial concerns in recent weeks, could Bayern Munich find a way to afford Wirtz?
Bavarian Podcast Works — The Bundesliga Rundown with Marcus Iredahl: Matchday 28 (Bavarian Football Works)
When Marcus is away, Chuck will play!
Marcus is on vacation, so Chuck went back to his Bundesliga-blogging roots, brewed a lot of coffee, and watched a lot of games this weekend!
In this episode, we discuss:
- A rundown of the league-wide results
- A dive into both El Cashico between RB Leipzig and Hoffenheim, along with a look at Borussia Dortmund’s surprising win over SC Freiburg.
- Lamenting Max Beier’s fall from grace, but appreciating his chance to rebound.
- Why Niko Kovač could thrive if given the leeway he needs to coach the way he wants.
- Maximilian Arnold unraveling after another Wolfsburg loss…as Cher’s “Believe” was blaring in the background.
Dier envies the life of a striker (Säbener51 via @iMiaSanMia)
When asked about the life of the striker vs. the life of a defender, Bayern Munich center-back Eric Dier had some thoughts on the matter.
“With them, the consequences aren’t so immediate. A goalkeeper can play outstandingly for 90 minutes, but a single mistake often costs a goal. It’s similar as a defender. A striker, on the other hand, can miss 10 chances and still be the hero with a hat-trick. However, strikers are under enormous pressure to score goals. And if you look at clubs, they spend the most money on strikers because it’s the hardest to find a really good one. I think we all enjoy our jobs. I love defending,” Dier said (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “At the beginning I was a right winger, then later a right-back, then I moved into the centre. In my youth, I also played as a left-back and in midfield, both at Sporting Lisbon and Tottenham. But I quickly felt that I could help my team the most as a center-back.”
United planning crazy summer? (ESPN)
Manchester United could be looking at massive squad changes this summer:
Manchester United fans can ready themselves for a big summer. The Manchester Evening News reports that the club are planning to let as many as 10 players — including forward Marcus Rashford and midfielder Casemiro — leave the club permanently when the window reopens. Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton will reportedly retire, while Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelöf will be released on free transfers. But Rashford, Casemiro, Antony, Jadon Sancho, Altay Bayindir, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw and Joshua Zirkzee are among those who could be moved on to raise funds for new arrivals.
One such new arrival could be Fenerbahce defender Yusuf Akcicek, 19, according to Fanatik. United need cover amid long-term injuries for Leny Yoro and Lisandro Martínez, but Tottenham, Bayern Munich, Atlético Madrid, Napoli and RB Leipzig are also interested in signing the Turkey international.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 7, Episode 37 (Bavarian Football Works)
Bayern Munich has had a week…and then some.
Let’s get right into what is in store because there is so much to cover on this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works Show:
- We have spoken a lot about Bayern Munich and Thomas Müller this week, but now that everything is official — and the legend’s time at the club is ending, let’s unpack it all.
- Bayern Munich has been ravaged again by injuries and with Inter Milan in the Champions League looming, things could tense in Bavaria.
- Bayern Munich is reportedly ready to re-up Leroy Sané; Eric Dier, and Sven Ulreich look to be getting new deals. Are these the right moves for Bayern Munich?
Kimmich values sleep over UCL viewing (Süddeutsche Zeitung via @iMiaSanMia)
Bayern Munich midfielder thrives on a disciplined lifestyle and is reliant on sleep for his recovery — even if that comes at the expense of watching the Champions League.
“Usually from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. At 10 p.m., the day is over for us; my wife and I are completely exhausted,” Kimmich said when asked when sleeps. “Still, family life has given me much more structure. I used to go out for dinner or a drink and then go to bed late. You don’t really have a rhythm. I do now, and it’s good for me. Of course, I wouldn’t claim that I get more sleep with four children.”
Amen, brother.
Madrid wants Zubimendi (ESPN)
Real Madrid is zeroing in on Arsenal FC transfer target Martín Zubimendi:
Real Madrid are keen on Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi, reports Mundo Deportivo. The Santiago Bernabéu hierarchy are said to be willing to make an offer worth €60m for the 26-year-old in the next transfer window amid hopes of reinforcing their midfield, but it is expected that clubs in Europe could also challenge to secure his signature. Zubimendi previously rejected a move to Liverpool last summer, while he has also been linked with Arsenal.
At one point, Zubimendi was linked to Bayern Munich.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show: FC Augsburg 1-3 Bayern Munich (Bundesliga)
Bayern Munich traveled to FC Augsburg knowing it was going to face a tough, rugged, defensive squad in Die Fuggerstädter.
As expected, it was not easy, but the Bavarians won 3-1 and will now shift focus to the Champions League quarterfinal against Inter Milan on Tuesday. Let’s dive into this one on the Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show. This is what we have on tap:
- A look at the starting XI and our thoughts on the rotation.
- A rundown of the scoring and substitutions.
- Some final thoughts and takeaways on the match, including thoughts on the injury to Jamal Musiala.
Bayern open to sell Sacha Boey (Sport Bild’s Christian Falk and Tobi Altschäffl via @iMiaSanMia)
After a controversial (and unnecessary) transfer in 2024, Bayern Munich could be ready to sell Sacha Boey:
For the right-back position, Bayern are ready to listen to offers for Sacha Boey – and instead of signing a replacement, the club would rather plan with Stanišić and Laimer and save the money for other positions. There’s no truth to the rumour going around linking the club to Diogo Dalot.
City wants Frimpong (ESPN)
Florian Wirtz is not the only Bayer Leverkusen player that Manchester City wants — Jeremie Frimpong is also on the club’s radar:
Manchester City hold concrete interest in Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong and could launch a bid this summer, TeamTalk reports. With Kyle Walker coming towards the end of his time at the Etihad, City are believed to be on the lookout for his long-term successor. Frimpong, 24, has been a standout performer in the Bundesliga since joining in 2019 from Celtic. The Dutchman is very likely to be on the move this summer, with Liverpool also monitoring his situation in light of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s anticipated exit. As per TeamTalk, a bid in the region of £40m will be enough to land Frimpong.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Reaction Show: Report says Bayern Munich has decided to cut ties with Thomas Müller (Bavarian Football Works)
If the latest reports are true, the Thomas Müller Era at Bayern Munich is over.
How do fans feel about it? How should fans feel about it? Is it just the natural course of a career even for a club legend like Müller — or could something have been done to make it a more palatable exit for fans and the player alike?
One thing is for sure — there is a lot to talk about and discuss regarding the career achievements of a player like Müller and why it has all come to this. Who is at fault? Who should be blamed? Let’s talk about all of this and more on this Special Edition of Bavarian Podcast Works.
Kane happy to received compliment from Kompany (Bild via @iMiaSanMia)
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane was ecstatic upon hearing what head coach Vincent Kompany had to say about him:
Vincent Kompany said after Leverkusen that Harry Kane runs and fights for the team like a youth player
Kane to @BILD: “That’s one of the best compliments ever. In today’s game, there’s so much talk about great talent and great skills and moments and things like that. But the basic for any young striker is to work hard. That’s the most important thing. I enjoy defending as much as attacking. It may be rare, but that’s how my parents raised me, and that will never change. As long as I’m playing, that will be my attitude.”
Swap meet? Araújo for Diaz being discussed? (ESPN)
Ah…another (theoretically) proposed swap deal.
Could FC Barcelona be chatting about a trade of Ronald Araújo to Liverpool FC for Luis Díaz?:
Barcelona center-back Ronald Araújo is on the radar of Liverpool, reports Relevo. The Reds are reported to hold interest in the 26-year-old Uruguay international, with the future over club captain and key defender Virgil van Dijk beyond the end of the season still unresolved. Whether a move becomes possible is set to depend on whether he wants to leave the Blaugrana, and there is optimism from the Camp Nou hierarchy that he will decide to stay put. However, the report adds that a potential swap deal “cannot be ruled out,” with Barça still looking at Reds winger Luis Díaz, who is a long-term target for the club.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show Season 4, Episode 37 (Bavarian Football Works)
What a week it has been at Bayern Munich…
There has been massive drama surrounding a legendary player and the club executives, and the team is steamrolling into key match-ups with FC Augsburg and Inter Milan.
Let’s dive into all of it on this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show. This is what we have on tap:
- Why the situations surrounding Thomas Müller and Max Eberl are not only causing consternation with fans, but how they might be showing a greater disconnect between the different factions within the club.
- Are Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge overstaying their welcome — or strategically taking bullets to help the club move forward?
- The most recent transfer rumors include a potential move for goalkeeper Daniel Peretz and also Dayot Upamecano’s expectations for a contract extension might actually end up being too hefty for Bayern Munich to absorb.
- Listener Q&A responses.
