Bayern Munich board member for sport Max Eberl has put together a juggernaut.
There is absolutely no denying that, just ask the trail of bodies the squad has left behind this season.
However, that does not mean that his work — and handling of internal politics — are acceptable to everyone at the club per a report from Abendzeitung journalist Maximilian Koch:
In sporting terms, things couldn’t be going better for FC Bayern at the moment: in the Bundesliga, Munich are well ahead of the competition with
an eleven-point lead, and their 35th championship title will be confirmed in a few weeks – including a new goal record. In addition, the first cup final since 2020 beckons, but to get there, they must overcome the semi-final hurdle in Leverkusen on April 22.
This time, the focus is on Max Eberl. The current sporting director has a good relationship with coach Kompany, whose signing in the summer of 2024 was his idea. A pretty good one, after numerous rejections beforehand. But among the bosses, Eberl’s work continues to be viewed critically by some. So critically, in fact, that a contract extension is up in the air (AZ reported in February) and a separation is possible. Eberl’s contract expires at the end of June 2027.
Internally, Eberl is accused, among other things, of spending too much money on contract extensions and signing bonuses. Players and agents have been cashing in at FC Bayern for years—more than at almost any other top club in Europe. At least Eberl has taken high earners such as Leroy Sané and Kingsley Coman off the payroll, with Leon Goretzka to follow after the season.
The contract extensions for players like Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Alphonso Davies, and Dayot Upamecano all likely exceeded what the Bayern Munich supervisory board wanted to pay. A big key will be to understand what Upamecano’s deal actually entails — a big signing bonus? A release clause with an early exit and a low fee? Those aspects could shape how fans, pundits, and internal figures really view the deal.
One other battleground Eberl could be fighting on is with navigating the club’s internal politics:
Another point of criticism: according to “Sport Bild,” there is no real relationship of trust between Eberl and the powerful figures in the club. This coincides with information obtained by AZ. The supervisory board, which includes chairman Herbert Hainer, Uli Hoeneß, and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (mayor Dieter Reiter left after only one meeting), evaluates the work of the executive board and approves expenditures of more than €50 million. It feels that Eberl sometimes fails to involve it and informs it too late. He is accused of going it alone. Furthermore, there are internal rumours that Eberl does not negotiate as hard as his predecessors Rummenigge and Hoeneß. Ultimately, this costs Bayern a lot of money.
At the same time, it should be noted that Eberl has made some good decisions since taking office in March 2024: Kompany’s signing, for example, as well as the transfers of Michael Olise, Luis Díaz, and Jonathan Tah. However, the bosses feel that there is a lack of genuine cooperation. Internally, there are regular reports of different factions within the club—including on campus. In the long run, this could jeopardize sporting success.
Like it or not, Hainer, Hoeneß, and Rummenigge are all figures who still wield massive power inside the club. If true, Eberl might have alienated some of those executives, which could have led to something not many might have anticipated — Eberl not being renewed this summer.
At this point, it appears as if Eberl is on the hot seat and his contract might not be re-upped:
If Eberl’s contract is not extended, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and sporting director Christoph Freund would probably take over the duties of the sporting director. No new signings are currently planned. Dreesen and Freund, whose contracts also expire in 2027, have a very good chance of an extension. Eberl, on the other hand, is once again in trouble. His future will be decided at the next supervisory board meeting in mid-August.
BFW Analysis
No person in charge of personnel moves is ever going to bat 1.000 — it just cannot happen. That said, Eberl has done a good job with talent evaluation and hit on quite a few targeted signings. When it comes to contract extensions, though, the board member for sport seemed to be facing insurmountable odds to get “wins.”
Musiala is considered to be a foundational piece to the club and was not an easy signing. Kimmich is considered to be the true leader of the team and a vital piece to the team’s puzzle. Davies is a dynamic talent, but also plays a position that is not typically held in such high financial regard when it comes to contracts. Finally, the Upamecano deal was one where Eberl likely conceded more than he — or the club — wanted to.
It seems inconceivable that Eberl could have done more in those situations without losing those players. Would he have been judged more harshly for losing those players or giving what might be perceived as bad contracts? It seems like a no-win situation.
While many feel like Eberl has done a good-to-very-good job since taking over the brief, yet disastrous run by Christoph Freund during his time in charge of personnel moves, working inside the walls of Säbener Straße is the true key to survival in Bavaria.
If Eberl is not doing that successfully, he could actually find himself looking for a job this summer.
