Max Eberl has officially returned to Bayern Munich, his academy club, as the new board member of sport effective Mar. 1, 2024. The 50-year-old former Gladbach and Leipzig boss has signed a contract until June 2027, filling the vacancy left by Hasan Salihamidzic at the end of the 2022/23 season.
Bayern president Herbert Hainer expressed the club's delight in appointing Eberl, citing his extensive experience in football management and his roots at FC Bayern as key factors in the decision. Eberl, who began his career at Bayern in the early 1990s, returns to the club where he started playing football before embarking on a successful playing and managerial career.
Despite a contract with RB Leipzig, Eberl's move to Bayern was long speculated and eventually materialized after Leipzig agreed to a transfer deal worth up to €4.5 million. Eberl expressed his excitement at returning to Munich and embracing the challenge of shaping Bayern's future alongside the club's staff.
One of Eberl's immediate tasks will be to find a new head coach following the announcement of Thomas Tuchel's departure in the summer. Leverkusen's Xabi Alonso is a top candidate for the role, although interest from other clubs adds complexity to the situation.
Additionally, Eberl and sporting director Christoph Freund face the challenge of rebuilding the Bayern squad and making decisions on players like Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala. Balancing the wage bill while nurturing young talents like Musiala and Davies will be crucial for Bayern's future success.
Former club president Uli Hoeneß, a key figure at Bayern, has long advocated for Eberl's return, believing he is the right person to lead the club forward. With Eberl now in place, Bayern looks to navigate a path towards continued success and the development of a new generation of stars.
