FC Bayern is in a sporting crisis. The criticism of Oliver Kahn is getting louder. Apparently there have been doubts about his leadership for a long time.
Bayern’s CEO Oliver Kahn was already under criticism from within the club last season. This is reported by the “Bild” newspaper. Accordingly, in May of last year, Kahn’s management style was questioned on the supervisory board of the German record champions.
As the newspaper reports, President Herbert Hainer and ex-club boss Uli Hoeneß (still a powerful member of the supervisory board) are said to have asked Kahn for an interview on May 9, 2022. It was made clear to the CEO that he had to be more communicative and present the club better to the outside world. Another point of criticism: Kahn should show more empathy for the employees.
Kahn showed understanding
At the same time, it has become clear that the supervisory board will discuss his replacement if Kahn does not change his role. At the time, ex-DFL boss Christian Seifert and former Leipzig boss Oliver Mintzlaff are said to have been discussed as possible successors.
Kahn is said to have actually changed his behavior and appeared more in the media. However, the accusation that Kahn only surrounds himself with his confidants and hardly seeks an exchange with the employees remains, according to the report. Just a few weeks ago, Kahn’s lack of commitment was said to have been criticized at a management conference.
Most recently, there had been reports of an imminent replacement of Kahn as Bayern’s CEO. Since the change of coach from Julian Nagelsmann to Thomas Tuchel and the subsequent sporting descent, the Bayern bosses around Kahn and sports director Hasan Salihamidzic have come under criticism.
A decision will probably be made in May
According to the “Bild” report, a decision about Kahn’s future should be made in a supervisory board meeting on May 22nd. That would be before the last matchday of the current season. Sporting misconduct as well as mistakes in leadership should be discussed. Hoeneß will also play a key role in the decision. He is obviously opposed to many of Kahn’s ideas.
Should Kahn actually be replaced, his predecessor Karl-Heinz Rummenigge could at least temporarily take over the helm. However, it is still unclear whether he is ready to return from retirement.
