Update: 10:45AM EST — Sport1 refutes previous report
Sport1’s Kerry Hau has released a report refuting Abendzeitung’s story claiming that Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan “Brazzo” Salihamidzic is under fire at the club:
According to SPORT1 information, none of the bosses spoke out against Salihamidzic staying at the big supervisory board meeting on Monday. On the contrary: they continue to stand by him. However, the coming weeks will point the way for the future of the 45-year-old. His contract expires on June 30, 2023, and talks about an extension are on hold.
Like every other manager in the Bundesliga, Salihamidzic now has to do his homework. For him, the main thing is to recommend himself for a new contract and at the same time to get planning security for the next few years, which should not be insignificant for both current and potential players of the record champions.
However, Sport1’s report did reiterate that things are not exactly harmonious at the moment between the front office and coaching staff:
SPORT1 had already reported differences of opinion between the coach and the sports director regarding the central defender’s position. In addition to a successor for Niklas Süle, Nagelsmann would also like to have a clear, strong six in his ranks.
Salihamidzic is not only evaluated in terms of attracting meaningful reinforcements, but also keeping important top performers (currently above all Manuel Neuer, Serge Gnabry and Robert Lewandowski, who are only tied until 2023) – or at least selling them profitably.
The fact that more and more top performers have recently gone on a free transfer was not registered with goodwill by the executive floor – after all, the club has to pay even more attention to its economic health in Corona times.
According to a report from Abendzeitung, Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan “Brazzo” Salihamidzic’s moves and and strategies are being questioned internally at the club.
Recently, there have been rumblings that some within the organization are worried about Salihamidzic’s relationship with manager Julian Nagelsmann and that the coaching staff and front office have a disagreement on the future of the defense.
Perhaps those stories are being overblown, but Abendzeitung says that there is, indeed, some internal doubt about Salihamidzic’s future with the club — especially without his biggest advocate, Uli Hoeneß, as part of the leadership group:
According to AZ information, Salihamidzic’s role is now being questioned more and more internally. Brazzo’s future from him — his contract expires in 2023 — is uncertain, even a premature separation is possible. Aside from sponsor and friend Uli Hoeneß, Salihamidzic has few supporters at the club. The powerful supervisory board only met on Monday to set the budget for transfers this summer. As in 2021, Salihamidzic has very little financial leeway, but Nagelsmann still insists on some reinforcements.
One consistent theme in many recent stories has been the apparent lack of alignment between the front office (led by Salihamidzic) and the coaching staff (led by Nagelsmann). Transfers, current personnel, and even Nagelsmann’s plans for a formation are all reportedly subjects where there is an alleged schism between the parties.
Given Salihamidzic’s rocky relationship with Hansi Flick, some will start to ascertain that the sporting director is difficult to work with.