A big point unresolved
Bayern boss Eberl does not believe in a quick agreement with Rangnick
May 1, 2024, 7:06 a.m
The coaching question at FC Bayern is still not resolved. After the rejections of the preferred candidates Alonso and Nagelsmann, the Munich team is now negotiating with Rangnick as a possible new coach. Now the bosses are commenting on the timing of a hoped-for agreement.
FC Bayern bosses do not expect to reach an agreement with coaching candidate Ralf Rangnick in the next few days. Sports director Max Eberl said on Tuesday evening that they were working “quietly in the background” to sign a successor to Thomas Tuchel and would then “reveal this at some point”. When asked whether this would be before the second duel of the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid on Wednesday next week, Eberl replied: “I don’t think before the second leg.”
According to a report in the “Bild” newspaper, Rangnick clearly signaled to the Munich team that he wanted to become the new coach. There had been excitement about the personnel in the past few days. Uli Hoeneß, the honorary president of FC Bayern, openly stated during a panel discussion that Rangnick is only third choice for the record champions. According to media reports, the 65-year-old is said to have perceived this with surprise. At the same event, Hoeneß also criticized Xabi Alonso for not leaving his current contract with Bayer Leverkusen and moving to Munich.
As “Bild” now reports, one of the open points in the negotiations is the transfer fee that FC Bayern has to pay to the Austrian association. Initially it was said that this could be in the low single-digit million range. Then reports emerged from Austria that ten to 15 million euros could possibly be due. Rangnick also obviously wants a lot of creative options when putting together the squad. The talks are to be intensified this Wednesday.
The Munich team drew 2-2 at home in the first leg and now have to win the second leg – if necessary in extra time or penalties – to reach the final at Wembley. When asked whether an agreement with Rangnick before or after the second leg against the Spaniards would be better, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said: “After so much talk over the last two or three weeks, it no longer matters.” And then he added cryptically: “It’s like the weather forecast: sometimes the showers come in April when you don’t expect them, sometimes the sun comes in May.” What does it depend on? “Because we can’t influence the weather.”
After the rejections of Xabi Alonso (Leverkusen) and Julian Nagelsmann (national coach), the 65-year-old Rangnick is the current preferred candidate for Munich. Bayern have made an offer to the current team boss of the Austrian national team, which the Bundesliga veteran is currently examining.