Allegations Against Bayern: FCB Boss Responds Forcefully | OneFootball

The possible move of Bamberg head coach Anton Gavel to FC Bayern has caused quite a stir. Now, for the first time, a Munich official has spoken out—and clearly rejected the serious allegations coming from Bamberg.

At the center of it all is a personnel matter that has become a political issue: Gavel, 41, is considered FC Bayern Basketball’s top choice to succeed head coach Svetislav Pesic. His contract in Bamberg actually runs through 2027. It is precisely this that recently led to an open conflict between the two clubs.

Bamberg shareholder Michael Stoschek set the ball rolling when he went public with explosive internal details via BILD. According to the report, Gavel intends to challenge his contract using a legal loophole in order to move to Munich on a free transfer—citing a procedural error. The digital signature on the contract is allegedly vulnerable due to a lack of written confirmation. Stoschek’s main accusation: FC Bayern is said to have pointed out this procedural error to Gavel in the first place.

“Total nonsense”: Sarmiento rejects the allegations

Now Adrian Sarmiento, commercial director of FC Bayern Basketball, has spoken out on the sidelines of the end-of-season celebration. He sharply counters the accusation that the club deliberately exploited loopholes in the contract: “As Bayern Munich, we’re always interested in proper solutions. What is sometimes suggested—that we’re exploiting contractual issues in a nitpicky way—is total nonsense. We want a clear and proper solution,” he clarified. He said he did not wish to engage in speculation about contract details or transfer fees.

Sarmiento openly confirmed the interest in Gavel, but at the same time distanced himself from how the situation has unfolded so far: “There is obviously a situation between Bamberg and the coach. There is obviously also interest on our part in signing him. But the way things have played out overall—including how media pressure has been built up, not just against him but also against Anton—has been so off-putting that we didn’t want to commit more firmly or deeply at first,” he explained.

Sarmiento clearly criticized the fact that the dispute is being played out at the coach’s expense: “Someone who has done so much for German basketball doesn’t deserve that.”

Bayern hopes to maintain good relations with Bamberg

While Honorary President Uli Hoeneß is firmly counting on Gavel’s involvement, Sarmiento remained emphatically cautious. “To my knowledge, there’s nothing more to add or clarify. We’ll see how things play out over the next few days,” he said. First, Bamberg and Gavel need to clarify matters between themselves.

Photo: IMAGO

The managing director did not shy away from acknowledging the candidate’s appeal: “The fact that Anton is an exciting candidate for us has been mentioned several times by now and has become clear.”

Sarmiento expects talks to take place soon after the season ends: “I haven’t yet had the opportunity to speak directly with the Bamberg representatives. That will happen as soon as it makes sense. Then I hope we can establish a good rapport and discuss everything openly.”