BERLIN: Former Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness said in an interview published on Friday the club had no alternative but firing chief executive Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.
Hoeness explained the club needed to take action, with news of the sacking becoming known just moments after Bayern won their 11th straight Bundesliga title.
“The overall development was simply too unsatisfactory” Hoeness told newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung, referring to the club’s poor second half of the season.
Nine points ahead of Borussia Dortmund at Christmas, Bayern entered the final round of the season two points behind.
Their 2-1 win over Cologne in the last match of the campaign, along with Dortmund’s 2-2 draw against Mainz, meant they won the title on goal difference.
Bayern sacked Kahn and Salihamidzic on Thursday, but did not tell the players or make the news public until moments after the full-time whistle.
Captain Thomas Mueller found out in a post-match interview, after putting on a t-shirt commemorating the win.
Hoeness, who played for Bayern before running the club in various capacities for decades, revealed “nobody” at the club was consulted about the decision to fire coach Julian Nagelsmann in March.
“Even Herbert Hainer (Bayern president) was informed far too late... and something like that simply doesn’t work.”
While saying that Salihamidzic “remained a good sporting director,” Hoeness said former goalkeeper Kahn had not done enough work in the sporting department.
“Oliver had defined his role for himself in such a way that he largely stayed out of sports. Yet sport is the main task.
“Our product is football” the 71-year-old added.
No alternative to Bayern sackings, says ex-president Hoeness
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No alternative to Bayern sackings, says ex-president Hoeness
- "The overall development was simply too unsatisfactory" Hoeness told newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung
- Hoeness revealed "nobody" at the club was consulted about the decision to fire coach Julian Nagelsmann in March
Earthquakes sign German striker Timo Werner
- “We’re excited about signing Timo Werner,” Earthquakes head coach Bruce Arena said
- Werner has been a part of a title-winning side in the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup
NEW YORK: The San Jose Earthquakes acquired forward Timo Werner from Bundesliga side Red Bull Leipzig on a permanent transfer Thursday and signed him to a designated player contract through June 2028.
San Jose acquired the German international’s “discovery priority” from Red Bull New York for $50,000 in 2026 general allocation money.
“We’re excited about signing Timo Werner,” Earthquakes sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena said. “I think he’ll be an excellent acquisition for our team, and we’re really looking forward to him coming to San Jose. To have a player of Timo’s caliber coming in is simply outstanding for the club and the community. I believe he’ll offer us quality on the field, experience and leadership.”
Werner, 29, has been a part of a title-winning side in the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. He will occupy an international roster spot.
“It’s always a big decision to go to America, but everything is there to be successful,” Werner said. “The stadium and the facilities are beautiful. Also, it really impressed me that an experienced manager like Bruce, who has had so much success in the league, flew over here to Germany to talk to me about the plan.
“The Earthquakes fans can expect to get a player who gives everything on the pitch, every game. Every club I’ve joined, I’ve wanted to win a trophy. In the end, I’ve always delivered. That’s why I want to come to San Jose — to win.”
Werner has recorded 154 goals in 451 matches across all competitions in the Bundesliga and English Premier League while representing RB Leipzig, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea FC and VfB Stuttgart.
At the international level, Werner has totaled 24 goals in 57 caps for Germany, representing his country at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League.
