Status: 15/01/2024, 20:56 PM
By: Christoph Klaucke
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After the first game since the death of Franz Beckenbauer, transfers are back in the spotlight at FC Bayern. Sporting director Freund uses a piece of wisdom from the emperor.
Munich – "Have a look": Franz Beckenbauer, who was also known for his sayings, coined this phrase. The "Emperor" chose the statement when he didn't want to reveal everything, but most of the time everyone knew exactly what was going on. The legacy of Beckenbauer, who was buried in Munich on Friday and is laid to rest in the family grave, is to be passed on to the next generation at FC Bayern.
"Let's take a look": Bayern sporting director adopts Beckenbauer's saying
The home game at the Allianz Arena between FC Bayern and TSG Hoffenheim was all about Franz Beckenbauer. After the 3-0 victory, however, the current situation at the record champions increasingly came into focus again. More precisely: the efforts in the transfer market.
With Eric Dier, Bayern have closed the first position in central defence, but that is far from it. "Let's see," said sporting director Christoph Freund at the Englishman's introductory press conference on Saturday afternoon, using the popular Beckenbauer phrase. "We'll see what happens over the next few days. The transfer window is still a bit open," said the Austrian.
Franz Beckenbauer's legacy lives on in the transfer plans of Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund and coach Thomas Tuchel. © Sven Simon/MIS/Imago
Transfer plan at FC Bayern is set: Sporting director Freund keeps it with Beckenbauer – Tuchel commits himself
What Freund actually means, but didn't want to say: Bayern are desperate to sign a full-back in the current transfer window – for the right side, mind you. This is where the need has been greatest since Josip Stanisic's loan to Leverkusen in the summer and has been exacerbated not least by the forced dismissal of Moroccan Noussair Mazraoui for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Thomas Tuchel already specified FC Bayern's transfer plan on Friday evening after the game on DAZN: "We'll see if there's anything else possible, a full-back who is strong in tackles. Nous Mazraoui is at the Africa Cup of Nations, but we've also gotten used to Konrad Laimer as a full-back." However, the Austrian is actually intended as a midfielder, as the FCB coach emphasised at the press conference afterwards.
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Tuchel announcement: No more midfielder, right-back to come
With the signing of a right-back, Bayern's transfer activities would probably be completed in the winter, and a central midfielder is no longer needed. At the moment, there is "not the greatest need," said Tuchel, who was deeply disappointed with the Bayern fans because of the boycott of the atmosphere at Beckenbauer's farewell.
In addition to several established players such as Joshua Kimmich or Leon Goretzka, a youngster like Aleksandar Pavlovic (19) has almost become "a full-fledged alternative". It's also about guaranteeing playing time for all players in this position. Against Hoffenheim, the all-rounder Raphael Guerreiro was in the starting eleven for Goretzka. At the end of the game, Kimmich, whose future is the subject of speculation at FC Bayern, moved to the right side.
FC Bayern plans transfer of right-back – youngster Krätzig on the verge of leaving
As possible candidates for the vacant right-back position, Bayern are apparently looking at PSG's Nordi Mukiele and Galatasaray's Sacha Boey, while an FCB youngster is probably on the verge of leaving. Frans Krätzig, who is at home on the left-hand side, may be loaned out to a Bundesliga club. (ck)