Uli Hoeness defends Hasan Salihamdzic on Sport1’s “Dopplepass”

Just over 24 hours after Bayern Munich’s thoroughly impressive 4-0 routing of Borussia Dortmund, Uli Hoeness called in to defend sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic Sport1’s “Doppelpass.” The host of the show, Thomas Helmer immediately put Hoeness on the air when he was notified that he wanted to say a few words.

Hasan Salihamidzic has been the subject of some criticism regarding Bayern’s business in the past couple of transfer windows and his effectiveness as a sporting director at Bayern has often been questioned. Hoeness was quick to come to Brazzo's defense when he called in to Dopplepass (via t-online.de):

Large parts of the round have spoken disrespectfully about Hasan. Hasan has done a good job. The signings of Pavard, Hernandez, and Davies were the fruits of his labor alone. He was fully integrated in all decisions.

Salihamidzic, Hoeness continued, gets far too harsh treatment by the German press, which gives the perception that he’s not good at his job. This perception, he said, paints an entirely false picture:

Hasan comes across in the public’s perception much too badly. I think it’s outrage how people talk about him. FC Bayern will still have a lot of fun with him.

Hoeness was also asked about Salihamidzic’s potential promotion to Bayern’s executive board, but he declined to comment on that. It’s been presumed that a promotion is right around the corner for Brazzo, despite the external criticism he receives.

Photo by Matthias Balk/picture alliance via Getty Images

In addition to speaking about Salihamidzic, Hoeness was also asked about a statement he made on Saturday after the Dortmund match, that “There definitely were undercurrents on the team that wanted to get rid of the coach,” Niko Kovac. Hoeness doubled down on the statement when Helmer asked him about it: “If I said it that way, that’s how I meant it.”

“The Attack Division”

Uli Hoeness will officially leave his post as Bayern Munich president on November 15th, but he will remain on the supervisory board, where he will still be involved in the decision-making processes. Hoeness was in attendance at Bayern’s basketball game against Alba Berlin and he said that he will still spearhead Bayern’s “attack division,” that is, responding to media reports that, in his view, are unfairly negative about Bayern (Bild):

This or that journalist will have to accept the fact now that I will man the “attack division” again, now that I no longer have an official function.

People will hear from me more often — I’ve already announced that to the gentlemen. Whenever I hear and see something impertinent, I will watch over the club like a mother hen.