Dating back to the Pep Guardiola era, management and coaching decisions at Bayern Munich have been primarily operating with a “win now” philosophy. This has resulted in constant coaching turnover, tabloid-esque leaks, and a discontent fan base. Hansi Flick was able to batten down the hatches and deliver an incredible sextuple campaign.
It is another hot July and Bayern fans are comfortably sitting by the pool or in an air conditioned room, unwilling to share the secrets of the universe. Obviously,
fans all know better than Max Eberl, Vincent Kompany, and certainly the board. Given the superior intellect and foresight, what will Bayern’s treble winning squad look like in 2028?
(As a bonus challenge to the reader, who do you want to see on Bayern’s squad in three years?)
Attackers (8)
Starters: Nick Woltemade (26), Luis Díaz (31), Jamal Musiala (25), Michael Olise (26)
Bench: Maximilian Beier (25), Paul Wanner (22), Lennart Karl (20), Wisdom Mike (19)
With Musiala and Olise locked up for the rest of the decade, Bayern will need to add complementary pieces. The Díaz transfer should be wrapped up in a couple weeks. Harry Kane will run out his contract and Stuttgart will eventually sell Woltemade (for less than €100M).
Bayern loves to steal Borussia Dortmund players and Beier will be next in line. After spending a couple more years on loan, Wanner will finally be ripe to contribute at Bayern. Karl and Mike are fantastic young academy prospects who are built to be ready to contribute as teenagers. Mike will be what Bayern had hoped to get out of Mathys Tel.
Midfielders (4)
Starters: Joshua Kimmich (33), Aleksandar Pavlović (24)
Bench: Tom Bischof (23), Jussef Nasrawe (21)
Kimmich will try to play until he is 50 years old. Ideally, Bayern would find a replacement that allows Kimmich to drift more toward right back in his thirties but the Germany captain has been stubborn in that regard. Pavlović is a steady player who will only get better with age.
If Bischof can stay patient and accept rotational minutes, he will be a solid contributor. Nasrawe is currently an attacking midfielder and captain for Bayern’s U19 side but has the intangibles that Bayern loves to see in its leaders.
Defenders (7)
Starters: Alphonso Davies (27), Dayot Upamecano (29), Nico Schlotterbeck (28), Josip Stanišić (25)
Bench: Hiroki Itō (29), Bright Arrey-Mbi (25), Konrad Laimer (31), Jonathan Tah (33)
By this point, Davies will be the best left-back in the world and Upamecano will be in the top five center-back conversation. Schlotterbeck only has two years left on his Dortmund contract and will be a perfect fit sandwiched between Davies and Upamecano. Stanišić is not a flashy player but his ability to play all four defensive positions will keep him in the squad.
If Itō can stay healthy, the Schlotterbeck addition will create a nice surplus. Laimer is versatile like Stanišić but his age will limit his minutes. Tah will still have a year on his contract but will be unsellable at his age. The real wildcard, Germany’s U21 standout Arrey-Mbi, will join in 2027 with one year left on his contract at Braga.
Goalkeepers (3+1)
Starter: Gianluigi Donnarumma (29)
Bench: Alexander Nübel (31), Leonard Prescott (18), Jonas Urbig (24, on loan)
After winning the treble in 2025 and five consecutive Ligue 1 titles, Donnarumma’s contract at Paris-Saint Germain expires in 2026 and negotiations have stalled. He will want to move to another Champions League favorite and Bayern fits the bill. AC Milan’s Mike Maignan also has an expiring contract but is likely to extend for three to five more years.
After a number of mediocre years on loan, Nübel will fill the role of Sven Ulreich as Bayern’s token backup who rarely plays. Ironically, Urbig will be sent out on loan for most of his twenties. Prescott is an absolute giant who will earn some DFB-Pokal minutes before heading out on loan.
Summary
There are a few key narratives throughout this roster. The only big transfer fees are Woltemade, Díaz, and potentially Beier. Based on recent history, it is unlikely that Vincent Kopmany is still at the helm by 2028. Finally, Bayern’s investment in the academy will continue to pay off.
More from bavarianfootballworks.com:
- A forgettable international match day for all Bayern Munich players involved
- Czech Republic vs Germany lineup, discussion: Time, TV schedule and how to watch World Cup Qualifiers online
- ‘What about Thomas Müller?' Support pours in for Bayern Munich's troubled icon
- BFW Transfer Deadline Day 2017 live thread
- Kingsley Coman confident of his part in Bayern Munich’s plans this season
- Report: Renato Sanches set for loan move to Swansea
- Would this guy be the perfect backup for Robert Lewandowski?
