Dreesen reveals Bayern’s plan: How they want to beat the Premier League | OneFootball

In the battle with the financially strong Premier League, FC Bayern is focusing on a clear plan for the future. CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen explains why talents like Lennart Karl play a key role in this – and why the campus is more important than ever

FC Bayern is facing a structural challenge that cannot be solved with a single transfer. While top English clubs are gaining ground financially thanks to exploding TV revenues, Munich must find other ways to remain competitive in the long term. For CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, one thing is clear: the future of the record champions lies in an intelligent mix of home-grown talent and top international stars. One name is emblematic of this course – Lennart Karl

In an interview with the Abendzeitung München newspaper, Dreesen openly explains why the 17-year-old is more than just a snapshot. „Lennart Karl is doing really well. If you compare him with other 17-year-olds, he is simply much, much more mature,“ emphasises the Bayern CEO. The fact that Karl not only got his chance under Vincent Kompany, but also seized it at an impressive speed, is no coincidence. Christoph Freund, Max Eberl and the coach recognised the exceptional talent early on – yet his development has been faster than expected

Lennart Karl as a role model for the campus

photo: IMAGO

For FC Bayern, Karl is one thing above all: an internal signal. Dreesen makes it clear that the breakthrough of the attacking player has an enormous impact on the entire campus. Talents should see that the path to the pros is realistic – not theoretical. „Lennart is an example for other talents on campus that they can make it to the top,“ says Dreesen, referring to predecessors such as Josip Stanisic, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Jamal Musiala

This point in particular is central to Munich’s long-term strategy. FC Bayern has been investing large sums in its youth development work for years – more than any other club in Germany. These investments must pay off, not only in sporting terms, but also economically. Players from the club’s own academy relieve the transfer market, reduce dependencies and create identification

Why Bayern has no chance without talent

The financial comparison with England is sobering. Dreesen openly expresses what many managers think: „Financially, the Premier League is too far away.“ In terms of national TV money alone, the English clubs are around 80 percent ahead of the Bundesliga, and internationally the gap is even wider. FC Bayern cannot and does not want to participate in an arms race on transfer fees and salaries

The answer to this is not radical change, but balance. The record champions want to continue to sign international stars, players of the calibre of Harry Kane or Luis Díaz. But these should be complemented by home-grown players who can keep up in sporting terms and make economic sense. This is precisely where Dreesen sees the decisive lever for remaining competitive in the medium and long term

Karl is therefore more than just a shooting star of the season. He is proof that the Bayern way can work – if courage, patience and quality come together. For Dreesen, one thing is certain: without home-grown talent, FC Bayern will have no future in top European soccer. With them, on the other hand, the record champions will remain capable of acting even in the face of financial superiority.