Oliver Kahn strikes back! Former Bayern Munich keeper, CEO critical of club’s manager and squad turnover

Former Bayern Munich CEO Oliver Kahn has criticized the high turnover and lack of continuity at the club since his dismissal in May 2023, shortly after they won the Bundesliga title. Kahn, who was fired alongside sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić after just over two years in the role, acknowledged the difficulty of succeeding Karl-Heinz Rummenigge but felt his efforts weren't enough for the supervisory board.

In a Sky Sport interview, Kahn expressed unfavorable views on the club's recent direction. He specifically highlighted the rapid managerial turnover as a major problem, stating, "Many coaches have come and gone. As a result, the philosophies, the ideas have changed again and again, including the squad. It always feels like a constant squad upheaval."

Kahn pointed out that Bayern has had four different managers (Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann, Thomas Tuchel, Vincent Kompany) within the past five years, following Niko Kovač's mid-season sacking in 2019/20. While acknowledging the club's continued success (winning 12 of the last 13 Bundesliga titles and a Champions League), he noted that the projects under Kovač, Nagelsmann, and Tuchel failed to meet expectations. Combined with other front-office changes, this creates instability and concern.

The article notes current pressure on the new leadership team of Max Eberl, Christoph Freund, and Jan-Christian Dreesen due to Leroy Sané's departure, Thomas Müller's exit, and Jamal Musiala's long-term injury. Eberl's future is reportedly tied to successful summer signings.

Despite his criticism, Kahn admitted self-critically that he also could have done better on continuity during his own tenure: "I’m self-critical enough... even during my time exactly this topic of continuity in all areas, I would have liked to have done better."