Hermann Gerland and Jochen Sauer to take the reins of Bayern Munich’s new Youth Center

Changes are coming to Bayern Munich's youth program. The club has announced that Hermann Gerland will replace Heiko Vogel as athletic director of Bayern's youth teams, while Jochen Sauer will replace retiring Wolfgang Dremmler as director of Bayern's youth development center.

Hermann Gerland will continue to serve as assistant coach to Carlo Ancelotti until the end of the season. From then on, he will return to the area in which he has arguably served Bayern Munich best: grooming future stars of the senior team.

Concerning the transition to Gerland and Sauer, Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge stated, "It is our conviction that, with Hermann Gerland and Jochen Sauer, we are placing the sensitive task of directing the youth division in experienced hands. I am especially pleased that Hermann is taking over as athletic director. His great service to our club, especially in working with the youth, is undisputed."

Departing junior athletic director Heiko Vogel replaced Erik ten Haag in 2015 as coach of Bayern II in the Bavarian Regionalliga. Despite improving performances, Bayern II have not succeeded in earning promotion under his tutelage. The team finished 6th in 2016 and is currently second in 2016-17 season. Trailing dominant Unterhaching by a full 19 points, they have no hope of earning promotion.

Wolfgang Dremmler has spent nearly thirty years with Bayern, having formerly served as chief scout before becoming director of the Youth Development Center in 2012. He is devoting his final months with Bayern Munich to overseeing the construction of the new youth center. As a player, Dremmler appeared for Bayern Munich in 172 games between 1979 and 1986, when a knee injury forced his retirement.