Hasan Salihamidzic reflects on summer transfer business at Bayern Munich
After a difficult summer transfer window, Hasan Salihamidzic reflects on the recruitment process at Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich had a strange summer transfer window. Die Roten is famous in Europe for being aggressive in the transfer window and wrapping up the deals before the start of the pre-season tour. However, this year the flurry of transfers took place in the final few weeks of the transfer window.
In terms of departures, Bayern were ruthless. The German club decided to release numerous senior players to improve the average age of the squad. Die Roten also quickly sanctioned the transfer of Mats Hummels to Borussia Dortmund after completing the deals for Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard before the end of last season.
The failure to replace these senior players quickly led to criticism of Die Roten’s recruitment policy. Apart from defense, other areas of the squad remained unaddressed till mid-August. The complicated deals for their top targets led to this delay.
Hasan Salihamidzic was under amidst scrutiny this summer due to the club’s slow approach in the transfer window. Speaking to Kicker, Salihamidzic explained that Bayern had to remain patient to sign top players this summer. He also insisted that public criticism doesn’t affect him and he targets a long stay in the Sporting Director role.
"“Bayern are used to handling their transfers early, but if the situation requires you to wait longer, you have to be sure. It was important to wait for the players who played a role in our plans, even if parts of the media and a few hardliners in social networks have become increasingly impatient.”“I have a great responsibility, I can shape things, and of course I have to endure a lot, but I can handle that, I’ve shown that.”"
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Robert Lewandowski was also publicly putting pressure on Bayern to sign top players. Salihamidzic criticized the Polish forward in this interview for making such comments in media. He admitted that Lewandowski is a world-class player, but he cannot make such comments about the club in press.
Leroy Sane was Bayern’s top transfer target this summer to fill the void left by Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery. The club worked hard to complete this transfer, but at the crucial juncture of this deal, Sane suffered a serious injury.
The Bundesliga champions then quickly looked at other alternatives in this position. They decided to bolster their attack by signing Ivan Perisic and Philippe Coutinho from Inter Milan and Barcelona respectively. The two forwards joined the club initially on a one-year loan deal, but Die Roten have the option to make these transfer permanent next summer.
Salihamidzic also tried to complete a deal for Rodrigo Hernandez from Atletico Madrid. The Spanish midfielder rejected a move to Bavaria as he had his eyes set on a move to Manchester City. Bayern eventually decided to sign Mikael Cuisance from Borussia Monchengladbach to bolster their midfield options.
Next. Jerome Boateng set to stay at Bayern Munich. dark
Bayern don’t have the ideal squad right now, but the new additions will surely make a positive impact during this season. Things have not gone the way Salihamidzic wanted this summer, but he has somehow managed to salvage the window by completing three transfers in the final weeks of the transfer window.