Signs point to board appointment for Bayern Munich’s sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic

Hasan Salihamidzic played together with Oliver Kahn at Bayern Munich for nine years. When Kahn joins Bayern’s executive board in anticipation of succeeding Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as its chairman, a new era of collaboration may begin between the two: according to an exclusive by AZ, Salihamidzic is about to be promoted to the board as “director of sport” (Sportvorstand).

The last sporting director to combine those roles was Matthias Sammer, and it was reportedly Philipp Lahm’s insistence on a board seat that Bayern was unwilling to give that led him to seek his fortune elsewhere.

Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge spoke in favor of extending Salihamidzic’s contract two weeks go and raised the possibility that the board might decide to grant him a seat.

In essence I think he has developed very well as sporting director. He has gained experience over the past two years with great engagement, and the time was very instructive for him.

Hasan is doing a good job, and I’d like his contract, which expires next summer, to be extended. Whether as director of sport, the supervisory board will have to decide. I’d welcome it.

In addition to Rummenigge, Uli Hoeness and others on the board value Salihadmizic’s work and his closeness to the team, despite harsh criticism from other quarters. Kahn, who joins the board on January 1, 2020, will also have a vote. He and Brazzo are said to have a good relationship and trust each other.