The secret force behind Bayern’s transfers | OneFootball

Despite holding only an honorary title at Bayern Munich, Uli Hoeneß continues to wield considerable influence over the club’s transfer dealings, according to a report from FCBInside drawing on insights from negotiation expert Thorsten Hofmann. While Max Eberl’s performance as sporting director faces increasing public scrutiny following a sluggish summer window, the enduring presence of Hoeneß is being cited as a critical—if unofficial—asset in Bayern’s approach to negotiations.

Hofmann, a veteran crisis negotiator and former investigator, told tz that Hoeneß’s stature grants him a distinctive edge when dealing with players, agents, and rival executives. “Men like Uli Hoeneß have always carried great weight—not just within their club, but across the football landscape,” Hofmann said. He argued that Hoeneß negotiates “harder and with greater credibility” than others in similar roles—qualities born of his long-standing reputation and personal relationships across the game.

The analysis suggests that Hoeneß’s impact is not merely a product of his reputation or extensive network. Hofmann pointed out that the former president possesses an uncommon ability to read and understand the interests of those sitting across the table. This allows him to craft approaches that leverage both tactical insight and emotional intelligence, extracting concessions or forging agreements that might elude more conventional negotiators.

Atmosphere is another factor in Hoeneß’s negotiation arsenal. Hofmann described how meetings orchestrated by Hoeneß are often intimate affairs—frequently set in informal venues such as meals or gatherings at Lake Tegernsee, where he is known to cultivate trust and connection away from the formalities of club offices. In an era where decisions are increasingly swayed by a player’s intuition or the chemistry between parties, such settings can tip the balance.

By contrast, Eberl’s influence is seen as less established—at least for now. While Bayern president Herbert Hainer continues to express confidence in his sporting director publicly, the club has yet to secure top targets like João Palhinha, Michael Olise, or Xavi Simons this summer. It is this contrast—Hoeneß’s longstanding credibility versus Eberl’s ongoing adjustment to Bayern’s scale and expectations—that drives the current internal debate at Säbener Straße.

Meanwhile, the rumour mill has linked Markus Krösche of Eintracht Frankfurt as a potential successor should doubts over Eberl deepen, a notion amplified after former Bayern player Mario Basler claimed the club had already begun to consider alternatives.

For now, Hoeneß remains a behind-the-scenes force whose knack for negotiation continues to shape Bayern’s business, even as the club’s formal leadership works to make its own mark.

Photo by Kevin C Cox/Getty Images