FC Bayern is not an easy place to work…at time.
Public criticism at Bayern Munich is never just public criticism.
When it comes from Uli Hoeneß, it carries the weight of history, power, and an unmistakable undertone of authority. That dynamic was on full display following an appearance on Sport1-Doppelpass by Hoeneß, where the longtime Bayern patriarch offered pointed commentary about how things should function going forward — commentary that, intentionally or not, landed squarely on the desk of sporting director Max Eberl.
The framing alone raised eyebrows. A 73-year-old supervisory board member publicly telling his 52-year-old sporting director how to do his job inevitably invites questions about hierarchy, autonomy, and respect. When asked whether that dynamic made him secretly angry, Eberl responded with characteristic composure and context.
“Uli has been with me for 35 years. I saw how he drove this club forward with his full energy. During my time at Gladbach, I often called him to ask for his advice. Everything he said on ‘Doppelpass’ he also told me in person. I take his advice, but of course, I also have my own ideas,” Eberl told 11FREUNDE (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
That response underscores the tightrope Eberl is walking. Hoeneß is not merely a supervisory board member; he is Bayern Munich’s institutional memory, its conscience, and, at times, its loudest megaphone. Still, there is a difference between internal counsel and public commentary, especially when remarks about shared responsibility and emotional resilience can sound like thinly veiled critiques.
When it was suggested that Hoeneß wasn’t just offering guidance but publicly denouncing him — particularly with comments about not being “so sensitive” — Eberl again chose restraint over confrontation.
“Uli will always be Uli. As I said, this was also brought up in our internal discussions, and we speak with the necessary clarity there,” Eberl said.
That line may be the most revealing of all. It acknowledges friction without escalating it, signaling that disagreements exist but are handled behind closed doors — at least in theory. Yet the word “sensitive” lingered, prompting Eberl to address it more directly in a later press conference, turning criticism into self-reflection.
“At first, I thought defiantly — I’m not sensitive. Then it occurred to me: Of course I react sensitively when I’m convinced of something, after all, I’m passionate about it. If I only did my work the way others told me, I wouldn’t be doing what I believe is best for the club. I have my ideas, and I want to demonstrate what I believe,” Eberl said.
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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Category: General Sports
