Bayern Munich agree deal for Max Eberl

The ongoing transfer window is the first in charge for Christoph Freund at Bayern Munich. The Austrian sporting director replaced Hasan Salihamidzic last summer but started in this role in September. Freund will be working with another leading sporting director at Die Roten later this season.

According to Sky Sports in Germany, Bayern have reached an agreement for a deal to appoint Max Eberl as the board member of sport. The former German defender will sign a long-term deal and start working in his role in March. Eberl’s appointment will be approved during the supervisory board meeting in February.

Bayern will be paying a fee to get Eberl. RB Leipzig had sacked Eberl a few months ago, but they can ask for a fee since his contract was not terminated. The Bavarian club may have to pay a fee close to €5 million for Eberl.

The record champions have been linked with Eberl even before the arrival of Hasan Salihamidzic in 2017. He was a strong contender to become Die Roten’s sporting director due to his impressive work at Borussia Monchengladbach, but the Bavarian club went ahead with Salihamidzic.

As soon as Salihamidzic was sacked at the end of last season, Eberl was once again linked with Die Roten for the sporting director role. Eberl poured cold water on rumours by saying that he would not be going anywhere in the summer. Die Roten quickly sorted a deal with RB Salzburg to make Freund the new sporting director.

Despite the arrival of Freund, there was scope for another sporting director role at Die Roten. Salihamidzic was promoted to the board member of sport after his good work with recruitment. He was effectively handling the responsibilities of two roles. In such a scenario, there was always an opening for Eberl. As a result, speculation continued over his future at RB Leipzig even after the arrival of Freund.

Liverpool were also heavily linked with Freund at one point this season, but a move to Bayern always looked inevitable. Once Eberl was sacked by RB Leipzig, it was just a matter of when rather than if regarding his move to Munich.

Freund is open to working with Eberl, so there is unlikely to be any friction between the duo when it comes to recruitment. Eberl’s immense experience in the Bundesliga will benefit Bayern. It will be intriguing to see how hands-on Eberl will be regarding transfers and what will be specific responsibilities of Freund in the summer transfer window.