Setback for Bayern in the talent pool: Proven model falls apart | OneFootball

FC Bayern must partially realign its strategy for developing young players. Los Angeles FC has sold its majority stake in Grasshopper Club Zurich. This indirectly affects the Munich club as well, which had recently been regularly sending young talents to the Swiss first-division club—a move that proved quite successful.

The decision was announced back in late June but has received little attention in Germany so far, as reported by the tz. LAFC announced that its majority stake in Grasshopper Club Zurich had been transferred to Bridge Football Group Switzerland AG.

At first glance, this decision seems to have little to do with FC Bayern. In fact, however, there is a close connection: Together with LAFC, the Munich club runs the “Red & Gold” youth development program, which is designed to nurture international talent.

In recent years, Grasshopper has become an interesting stepping stone for Bayern players. Talented players who had already outgrown the Regionalliga but were not yet ready for regular playing time under Vincent Kompany were able to gain experience in professional soccer in Zurich.

Bayern has benefited in several ways from these loans to Zurich

Jonathan Asp Jensen recently demonstrated that this model can work. During his time at Grasshopper, the Dane played a total of 40 matches and scored nine goals.

Although his development wasn’t ultimately enough to secure a permanent spot on Bayern’s roster, the loan still paid off financially for the German record champions. Spanish first-division newcomer Deportivo La Coruña signed the 20-year-old for around six million euros.

Nestory Irankunda followed a similar path. The Australian also initially gained playing experience in Zurich before Bayern sold him to Watford FC in 2025 for around three million euros.

This allowed the Munich club to develop its talents at a higher level than the regional league while simultaneously increasing their market value. It is precisely this straightforward option that is now being phased out for the time being.

Among other factors, the difficult circumstances in Zurich are said to be behind LAFC’s withdrawal. Certain segments of the active fan base, in particular, viewed the American club’s involvement with Grasshopper critically.

Bayern needs a new development hub

Photo: IMAGO

However, this does not by any means mark the end of Bayern and LAFC’s international youth development model. Rather, the Americans are refocusing their efforts.

In the future, the partnership with Wacker Innsbruck is set to be intensified. This could make the Austrian club more attractive to Bayern’s young talents in the long run. However, Wacker currently plays only in the Austrian second division and thus offers different sporting conditions than the Swiss first-division club Grasshopper.

In addition, LAFC is set to explore the European market for a potential new club investment. Should Bayern’s American partner once again invest in a European club, this could also result in a new development hub for the record champions.

Until then, however, a gap remains for the Munich club. Grasshoppers was a suitable option, particularly for players who are too advanced for the Regionalliga but who, at the same time, do not yet have a realistic prospect of regular playing time with the first team.

The examples of Asp Jensen and Irankunda have shown that Bayern can benefit from this model in more ways than just on the field. By developing at a higher level, these talents also became more attractive to other clubs and subsequently earned Bayern millions in transfer fees.

Following LAFC’s withdrawal from Zurich, Bayern must now seek alternatives. The hope is likely that a new European partner within the “Red & Gold” network will soon be found that can assume a role similar to that of Grasshoppers.