Former Leverkusen and Germany star named Bayern U17 head coach | OneFootball

Bayern Munich have announced Lars Bender as the new coach of the club’s U17 team.

The former Bayer Leverkusen player and Germany international replaces Leonhard Haas, who moves up to the U19 team.

“I am very pleased that we have been able to bring Lars Bender in as a coach for our campus. He brings a huge wealth of experience as a player and has already worked as a coach both in youth football and with senior teams,” said FC Bayern head of sport and youth development Michael Wiesinger.

“He is also a really good guy; even in our first conversation, we could sense his enthusiasm for this role. With him in the U17 and Leo Haas in the U19, we believe we are very well set up in the performance sector for the new season.”

Bender, who leaves his role as head coach of Regionalliga side SV Wacker Burghausen to take over the position, said:

“It's a privilege to take on this role at FC Bayern. From the very beginning, the talks were very positive. I am looking forward to this challenge and the opportunity to continue developing myself here.”

Lars Bender represented Germany 19 times and made 256 Bundesliga appearances as an active player.