Oliver Kahn criticizes Bayern structures and Hoeneß‘ role | OneFootball

Oliver Kahn has used strong words to question the power structures at FC Bayern. The former chairman of the German record champions expressed doubts that the club’s long-standing bosses Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge will actually retire from the background soon

In an interview with Sky, the former Bayern board boss alluded to statements made by Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, according to which the long-standing Bayern executives only want to retire completely once suitable successors have been found

Kahn responded with a pointed remark: „You then hear: ‚We will retire at some point when the right people have been found.‘ The whole thing has been dragging on for many, many years.“ He then went one better: „And it seems they still haven’t found anyone yet.“

Criticism of the structure at FC Bayern

photo: IMAGO

Hoeneß and Rummenigge have shaped FC Bayern for decades and continue to be members of the club’s influential supervisory board. Hoeneß is also honorary president of the club and is still considered one of the most influential figures in Munich’s power structure

The 73-year-old has repeatedly emphasized in the past that he does not want to retire completely until the club is in an optimal organizational position

However, Hoeneß has recently firmly rejected criticism that he and Rummenigge continue to exert a strong influence on decisions at the club. At an event in Munich last fall, he declared: „That’s not true at all.“

Kahn is nevertheless critical of FC Bayern’s structural development and believes that the club’s reorganization is only progressing slowly

Although the club has now appointed a new Chief Marketing Officer, Rouven Kasper, overall development is still proceeding „at a snail’s pace“

Kahn knows the structures from his own experience

The former world-class goalkeeper knows the internal processes at FC Bayern very well. From January 2020 to June 2021, he was initially a member of the Executive Board before being promoted to Chairman of the Executive Board. In May 2023, however, there was a break: despite winning their eleventh consecutive German championship at the time, Munich parted ways with both Kahn and Chief Sports Officer Hasan Salihamidzic

In sporting terms, however, Kahn was impressed by the team’s current development. After the 6:1 victory in the Champions League round of 16 against Atalanta Bergamo, he praised Munich’s enormous squad depth in particular. „You can basically let whoever you want play – and the quality hardly drops, if at all,“ explained the 56-year-old

For Kahn, FC Bayern is currently playing „almost like clockwork“. At the same time, however, he warned against being too blinded by the current run of success – because too much harmony can also harbor risks in the long term.