Upheaval in Munich

Matthäus: “Uli Hoeneß is under enormous pressure”

According to Lothar Matthäus (l.), the pressure on Uli Hoeneß is growing.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

For decades, Uli Hoeneß set the tone at Säbener Straße, but now Max Eberl and Christoph Freund are in charge at FC Bayern. However, Lothar Matthäus is convinced that this does not mean that the honorary president is not under pressure.

"In recent years, Uli has often criticized and attacked me for what I've said about FC Bayern. With his speech at the club's anniversary in Seligenporten, he vindicated me," said the expert in his Sky column. Hoeneß reviewed everything that had gone wrong in recent years and thus underlined Matthäus' statements.

Officially, Uli Hoeneß is honorary president at FC Bayern, but he still likes to have a say in important decisions.

(Bild: APA/AFP/INA FASSBENDER)

"He is no longer the boss"
Although the former Bayern player understands that the 72-year-old is still involved in the business of the German record champions, he believes it is the wrong approach. "He's entitled to put his foot down, but why always on the outside?" criticizes Matthäus. "Uli may be the man behind the club, but he's no longer the boss. We can no longer change Uli and he has every right to speak out, but he often causes unrest." Just a few days ago, Hoeneß expressed his disapproval of FC Bayern's transfer plans ("We don't have a moneybags").

In addition, the former board boss is noticeably nervous due to his failures in recent years. "Uli has let Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic do their thing. He doesn't want anything to go wrong again. Hoeneß' worries and fears are becoming visible. He has hired Kahn and Salihamidzic, and he has put his hook behind Julian Nagelsmann and Thomas Tuchel. But unlike in the past, these decisions have no longer worked out. That's why Hoeneß is also under enormous pressure." 

"Would have done everything to keep Alaba"
Some of the transfer decisions made under Hoeneß were also the wrong ones, Matthäus believes, which is why the club absolutely must keep Joshua Kimmich: "He has shaped the club in recent years, he is a face of FC Bayern, and you can't buy faces. I would have done anything to keep David Alaba, and I would have done anything to keep Toni Kroos ten years ago." With numerous new additions - including on the coaching bench - Munich are set for a shake-up. It will be interesting to see whether the changes made will actually bring the desired success and whether the pressure on Hoeneß will diminish ...