Daily Schmankerl: The aftermath of Bayern Munich vs. RB Leipzig; Is Bayern Munich scoping Malick Thiaw and Kō Itakura?; Gladbach’s Tim Kleindienst to Tottenham Hotspur?;  Uli Hoeneß talks hiring Vincent Kompany over Hansi Flick; and MORE!

It’s almost over for Bayern Munich…

Die Folgen: Bayern’s 3-3 draw with Leipzig (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich was seeking to wrap up the Bundesliga against RB Leipzig, but could only end up with a 3-3 draw with Die Roten Bullen — who were extremely desperate for three points.

Let’s dive into this, here are some quick hitters on the match:

• As always, let’s begin with the look at the starting XI:

• Kim Min-jae was sidelined with his ongoing Achilles tendon issue, which left Eric Dier and Josip Stanišić to play center-back, while Thomas Müller took the place of suspended striker Harry Kane. The backline is so depleted that Konrad Laimer got the nod at left-back, while Sacha Boey manned the right-back spot.
• Bayern Munich did not want to take any chances with Manuel Neuer, so Jonas Urbig started and Aleksandar Pavlović was in the central midfield pivot with Joshua Kimmich. Finally, Serge Gnabry was selected to start over Kingsley Coman for that final attacking role.
• There was not much room for flexibility in Kompany’s selections this weekend. With so many injuries and Kane’s suspension, the coach’s hands were tied.
• It was very clear, RB Leipzig was not going down without a fight. The squad looked extremely motivated vs. Bayern Munich. A midseason ass-kicking and the Champions League for 2025/26 being in play will have that effect.
• In the 11th minute, Urbig had his second big gaffe as goalkeeper at Bayern Munich, when he got caught too far out of net, slipped and allowed a blazing Benjamin Šeško to send a strike from long distance into the gaping net. That was not how Bayern Munich wanted to start!
• Boey’s new “suicide blonde” hair color was throwing me off. If you are going to change, go big I guess.
• Things did not get much better when a running header from Lukas Klostermann made it 2-0 in the 39th minute. Did you know that Klostermann was a track star?
• Bayern Munich was a bit boring for most of the first half. The creativity and urgency that had powers the squad in recent weeks was absent.
• Bayern Munich meandered for a bit longer before finally showing some life in scoring two goals in the span of one minute when Eric Dier and Michael Olise both found the back of the net in the 62nd and 63rd minute respectively.
• Konrad Laimer had a great chance to add to the total in the 68th minute, but could not convert, while Coman missed a golden opportunity in the 75th minute.
• With many fearing that Bayern Munich was not going to clinch, Sané continued his torrid run of play by getting the game-winner in the 83rd minute. One again, Bayern Munich battled back from what it looked like an insurmountable deficit on the road vs. RB Leipzig to snare a victory from the clutches of defeat. What…a….match…
• Well, except for that goal from Yussuf Poulsen in the fifth minute of added time. What a deflating ending to what could have been a thrilling comeback by Bayern Munich.
• Overall, despite long periods of boring play, Bayern Munich once again showed the heart and resolve that had been missing in recent seasons, built it ultimately ended in a draw because of the late collapse. When the time came, the players put the weight of the 2-0 deficit on their shoulders and looked like they were fighting their way to a win — and another league title. While most of us have expected that this season, it will still feel good to see a team rebound from a couple of down seasons. The draw lessens the fun and mathematically, Leverkusen remains alive (though common sense tells us there is no chance of Die Werkself making up that goal differential).

If you missed our Initial Analysis, Match Awards, Observations, or Postgame Podcast, please give them a look and/or a listen:

Also, be sure to stay tuned to Bavarian Podcast Works for all of your up to date coverage on Bayern Munich and Germany. Check us out on Patreon and follow us on Twitter @BavarianFBWorks, @BavarianPodcast @TheBarrelBlog, @BFWCyler, @2012nonexistent, @TommyAdams71 and more.

Hoeneß talks how hiring Kompany over Flick came to be (@julianbuhl via @iMiaSanMia)

Bayern Munich supervisory board member Uli Hoeneß recalled how the final moments of making the decision to hire Vincent Kompany over Hansi Flick played out.

“When Max flew to England with Christoph to negotiate with Vincent, I told him: ‘Make sure you come back with his signature!’ If that hadn’t worked out, we could have considered Hansi Flick. But I was sure it was a good decision,” Hoeneß said.

Wagner to Hoffenheim? (@Plettigoal)

Former Bayern Munich striker Sandro Wagner could be the next coach at one of his old clubs, Hoffenheim:

Should TSG Hoffenheim part ways with Christian Ilzer at the end of the season, Sandro Wagner is the top candidate!

He is also said to have received two additional offers from Bundesliga sides. Discreet talks have taken place. One club besides TSG are pushing for him.

Wolfsburg are interested. A decision in Hoffenheim is expected once survival is secured. Wagner’s goal is the Bundesliga.

Kleindienst to…Spurs? (Bild via ESPN)

Tottenham Hotspur could be inclined to make a move for Borussia Mönchengladbach striker Tim Kleindienst:

Tottenham have been watching Borussia Monchengladbach striker Tim Kleindienst, who could be available for €28m if the Bundesliga club fail to qualify for Europe.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show Season 4, Episode 41 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich is in the homestretch of the season, but the news surrounding the team continues to heat up. Let’s talk about everything going on with the squad on this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:

• The Frauen have clinched the domestic double.
• The Florian Wirtz news was all over the place this week. Let’s check in to see where things stand.
• Why Xabi Alonso’s potential move to Real Madrid might not be enough to sway Wirtz despite reports.
• Let’s discuss that wild story about Bayern Munich trying to convince Thomas Müller to join LAFC — and how a home in Beverly Hills might be part of the deal.
• Frans Kratzig, we hardly knew ye.

Sané expected to ink new deal next week (@Plettigoal)

Bayern Munich is expected to make Leroy Sané’s contract extension official next week:

FC Bayern and Leroy #Sané are now in the final phase of contract negotiations. Barring any last-minute changes, he is expected to extend his deal until 2028 next week.

No signing fee, a pay cut, all offers turned down — because he wanted to stay.

Müller talks why Bayern is so special to him (Säbener51 via @iMiaSanMia)

Bayern Munich star Thomas Müller explained why the club is so special to him.

“Where do you start? Where do you end? I think there’s a very special identity in the club. It certainly won’t have been so firmly established around 1900, but something has developed over the decades that you don’t find elsewhere in this form. The success story certainly began with the way Bayern established itself very quickly after promotion in 1965, both domestically and internationally,” Müller said. “At that time, it was possible to retain that core of young players, many of them from Munich and Bavaria, that group around Franz Beckenbauer, Sepp Maier and Gerd Müller. Then came Uli Hoeneß, Paul Breitner. We mustn’t forget Katsche Schwarzenbeck and Bulle Roth – they all became icons. Something grew back then that is still the foundation of Bayern today.”

Itakura rumors with Bayern “not concrete” (@Plettigoal)

There were rumors (published by Rheinische Post via @iMiaSanMia), which indicated that Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and Eintracht Frankfurt were interested in Borussia Mönchengladbach defender Kō Itakura:

FC Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, Leverkusen and Frankfurt are keeping an eye on Mönchengladbach defender Kō Itakura (28). The Japanese international could leave Gladbach this summer, with foreign clubs also interested.

However, Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg says, “not so fast”…at least for now:

EXCL | Borussia Mönchengladbach have not been officially informed yet, but Ko #Itakura will not be extending his contract. A move is planned for this summer or on a free transfer next year.

➡️ For this summer, the 28 y/o centre-back has a release clause in the region of €10–15 million. What hadn’t been known until now: Manchester City hold a matching right for this summer. #MCFC

Rumours linking him to FC Bayern are currently not concrete. No talks. His preference is a move to England.

Bayern, Leverkusen, Hammers eyeing Thiaw (Nicolo Schira via ESPN)

Keep an eye on this rumor…Bayern Munich is among the clubs linked to AC Milan defender Malick Thiaw:

Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and West Ham United are interested in AC Milan centre-back Malick Thiaw.

Bavarian Podcast Works — Flagship Show: Season 7, Episode 40 (Bavarian Football Works)

Bayern Munich took down Mainz 05 this weekend with a superior effort.

That did not exactly shakeup the Bundesliga landscape, but there is a lot of movement and we will dive headfirst into that. In addition, we’ve got some contract news to talk about and maybe even a little talk about Hansi Flick as well. Let’s not wait any longer, this is what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works Show:

• Final thoughts on Bayern Munich 3-0 win over Mainz 05.
• A breakdown of the Bundesliga hunt for Europe and the relegation battle.
• Is bringing back Leroy Sané the right move or does Bayern Munich need to shake things up?
• Hansi Flick is killing it at FC Barcelona.
• Did signing Tom Bischof undermine the work being done at Bayern Munich’s Academy?

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