As of: February 8, 2024, 7:21 a.m
By: Manuel Bonke, Philipp Kessler
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Christoph Freund has been FC Bayern's sports director since September 2023.
Since then, the Austrian has installed several people he trusts with the record champions.
Munich - Christoph Freund has built up a strong network in the football industry over the years - in Europe and beyond.
Christoph Freund brought some confidants with him to FC Bayern
That was one reason why the makers of FC Bayern, led by honorary president Uli Hoeneß, lured him to Munich as sports director from Salzburg last September.
And almost six months later, Freund is now cleverly expanding his power on Säbener Strasse.
In this short time, the 46-year-old has already filled many key positions with close confidants.
It started with Richard Kitzbichler, who brought a friend from RB Salzburg with him and who, as the interface between the licensing area and the FC Bayern Campus, is responsible for top talent development and loan player support.
Kitzbichler travels across Europe to observe Bayern's loanees up close during training or games.
He takes care of the jewel and gives them regular feedback, which is well received by the players and their advisors.
Munich's sports director Christoph Freund made a few changes in the final transfer spurt.
© Sven Hoppe/dpa
FC Bayern: Christoph Freund and René Marić still know each other from Salzburg
In November, friend René Marić was brought to the campus as team leader for coach development and game ideas; both of them also knew each other from their time together in Salzburg.
Maric started his professional football career as assistant coach to current Leipzig coach Marco Rose.
It became clear this week that the former tactics blogger is a kind of all-purpose weapon for the sports director.
After the club parted ways with U19 coach Michael Hartmann, Marić stepped in without further ado - and will look after the A youth team until the end of the season.
Thanks to the work of Kitzbichler and Marić and his good relationship with junior boss Jochen Sauer, Freund is directly informed about all developments on campus.
In addition, Freund appreciates the duo's football expertise - and in certain cases also trusts their scouting expertise.
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Freund also promoted Wernscheid
Since January, another well-known face has been part of the circle of friends and confidants: Bastian Wernscheid.
The Rhinelander worked as team manager for the professional team alongside Kathleen Krüger for three years.
At the beginning of the new year he was promoted to “speaker for sports” - also at the request of his friend.
As assistant to the sports director, Wernscheid does not have to hold up scoreboards with the substitute players, but is also reportedly involved in transfer processing.
Freund’s internal Bavaria network continues to grow.
(Manuel Bonke, Philipp Kessler)