Winter break? Bayern boss Eberl: „Must be available for Vinnie“ | OneFootball

After months of criticism, pressure and internal background noise, Max Eberl has drawn a surprisingly positive interim conclusion at FC Bayern. The sporting director has stabilized – both on a sporting and personal level. And Vincent Kompany plays a key role in this

When FC Bayern went into the Christmas break with a commanding 4:0 win at 1. FC Heidenheim, it was not only a perfect end to the year in sporting terms. For Max Eberl, too, the evening meant more than three points. The record champions‘ sporting director looked back with palpable relief, almost satisfaction, on a year that could hardly have been more turbulent for him personally

Born in Lower Bavaria, Eberl has been FC Bayern’s sporting director since 1 March 2024. 22 months that will probably feel much longer at Säbener Straße. Between finding a coach, transfer pressure, contract negotiations and internal power games, Eberl was under massive scrutiny at times during the summer. Failed transfers such as Florian Wirtz or Nick Woltemade, the bumpy communication surrounding Thomas Müller and public criticism from club patron Uli Hoeneß left his position shaky

But just in time for the end of the year, the picture has changed. Things are going almost perfectly for Bayern in sporting terms, and Eberl is benefiting from this – not least because key decisions are now working out

Kompany as the key to sporting reassurance

The most important factor in this development is the name Vincent Kompany. It was Eberl who installed the Belgian despite considerable scepticism. A risk that has paid off. After early setbacks in the Champions League and the DFB Cup, the team visibly learned, stabilized and developed a clear identity

Last winter, Eberl himself still seemed like a manager under constant stress, caught between expectations and pressure to deliver results. Today, he is much more relaxed. After the win in Heidenheim, he raved about outstanding odds, intense matches and a team that has visibly developed. Above all, the impression that Kompany and the team have learned from defeats should be a source of satisfaction for him

Transfers, campus and a new signature

photo: IMAGO

Eberl has also made up ground on the transfer market recently. Signings such as Jonathan Tah, Luis Díaz and Tom Bischof have proved to be direct hits. At the same time, the focus has shifted more towards the club’s own campus – partly out of conviction, partly out of financial necessity. Lennart Karl’s breakthrough came sooner than expected, but fitted in perfectly with the new approach

The Club World Cup, originally viewed critically, also turned out to be an unexpected catalyst. The multi-week USA camp strengthened team spirit and facilitated the integration of new players. Here, too, Eberl scored points internally by combining economic benefits with sporting development

It is also noticeable how much Eberl now emphasizes the „we“ form. Decisions are decisions of the club, successes are team achievements. This is not just rhetoric, but an expression of a role perception that has visibly changed. The sporting director appears more settled, less driven, closer to the team

The fact that the upcoming winter transfer window is set to be a quiet one fits the picture. New arrivals are not planned, and potential departures are only an issue if players actively push for them. However, this does not mean a standstill for Eberl. „I have to be available for Vinnie,“ he said – a sentence that reveals a lot about the new way of working

The close coordination with Kompany has now become the foundation. Daily discussions are no longer just about the here and now, but about the big picture

Eberl has achieved a personal turnaround at FC Bayern, going from being an embattled manager to a stable creative force. The road has been rocky, the calm deceptive – but this is precisely the greatest achievement of this year.