Ex-boss Nerlinger: The wrong development began with this Bayern transfer | OneFootball

After eleven years as the undisputed Bundesliga champions, FC Bayern was dethroned by Bayer Leverkusen this season. This is also due to wrong decisions made by those in charge of the German record champions in previous years. Former Bayern boss Christian Nerlinger still sees the origins of Munich’s problems in the past, describing one Bayern transfer in particular as the sticking point.

In his guest column in Sport BILD, former Bayern sporting director Christian Nerlinger wrote about the misguided development of his former club. He emphasises: „The most serious thing for me is a misguided development within the team and in the transfers. It started with the signing of Lucas Hernández in 2019 for 80 million euros. That damaged the structure of the team.“

The 51-year-old continued: „When I think back to the team we built when BVB hurt us, there were clear pillars: from Neuer to Boateng, Alaba, Schweinsteiger, Kroos, Gomez or Müller, Lahm as captain and important contact person, to the exceptional artists Robben and Ribéry on the flanks. Who is still undisputed at FC Bayern today, which players are these pillars? I can only think of two players, Neuer and Harry Kane.“

Nerlinger: „Bayern needs structure with seven to eight leaders“

Nerlinger went on to argue: „The rest of the players either failed to make them strong – like Kimmich, Goretzka or, most recently, Müller – or, in my opinion, average players were signed for far too high transfer fees and salaries. FC Bayern needs to get back to a structure with seven or eight leaders who can address uncomfortable truths internally and are also heard.“

Nerlinger, who now works as a player agent with his company CN Sports, worked for the German record champions from 2008 to 2012. He initially took on the role of team manager in Munich before later becoming sports director in the Bavarian capital for three years.