Let it be known that FC Hollywood never lets drama rest, even after a major humiliation in the Champions League. Just hours after the elimination to Manchester City, it looks like the first consequences at Bayern Munich may be felt at the executive level, if journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft is to be believed. Yesterday night, he teased that something big was about to happen in German football.
Here’s the outcome of that teaser — according to him, it’s only a matter of time before Oliver Kahn is sacked.
Some additional info from the quote tweets:
- Club President Herbert Hainer could take over as interim chairman for the time being.
- A return of Uli Hoeness is being considered.
- Among ex-players, Philipp Lahm would be the most desirable candidate to take over the job, but he is currently busy as the Managing Director of Euro 2024 in Germany.
- Hasan Salihamidzic is safe for now, as he enjoys the support of Hoeness.
- Kahn’s problem is that he failed to win over the employees at the club, and currently has no support as a result.
You have to wonder how much the firing of Julian Nagelsmann has figured into this decision. His sacking and the subsequent hiring of Thomas Tuchel was presented as a consensus by the board, but Kahn always seemed to be the driving factor behind the move. Now that it has failed, his name has ended up on the chopping block.
What a turn of events, huh? If this is true, then this might be one of the craziest Bayern seasons in decades.
Update — April 20th, 10:10AM EST: Plettenberg has more details, while Hainer says “not true”
Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg issued two tweets updating the situation surrounding suddenly-embattled Bayern Munich CEO Oliver Kahn. First, Plettenberg added more information on what might be going on:
Later, Plettenberg added comments from Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer, who insisted Kahn was going nowhere:
—C.Smith
Update — April 20th, 11:45AM EST: More details from Bild and Sport1, multiple execs in danger
According to Sport1’s Kerry Hau, only Thomas Tuchel is safe right now at Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile Bild, being typically slow on the uptake, had little to add beyond a confirmation of what we already know.
Update — April 20th, 1:55PM EST: What’s old is new?
As you can imagine, things went wild when rumors emerged that Bayern Munich might be considering sacking CEO Oliver Kahn.
During a period that will be widely remembered as instable and erratic, it was not inconceivable that there might be trouble brewing in the executive suite at Säbener Straße.
There have been denials, but let’s take a look at what is going on:
- Bayern Munich club great Philipp Lahm is not in the running:
- Rumors are swirling that the Sausage Prince of Bavaria (aka Uli Hoeneß’s son Florian…I kid, I kid) is being considered to take over the club:
- Former CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is reportedly not interested:
- Former Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeneß creates more anticipation by refusing to say “no”:
As more details start to get reported, we will be following them.
—C.Smith
Update — April 20th, 6:45 PM EST: Kahn fails to deny rumors
Oliver Kahn spoke to the media about the rumors, but failed to deny them. He gives the vibe of a coach who knows that a sacking is imminent.
“The results that we have recently delivered do not meet our expectations,” Kahn continued. The aim is to get FC Bayern back exactly where it belongs: at the top in all competitions. We will do everything for this.”