Bayern Munich parts ways with youth coach implicated in racism scandal

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge promised “imminent consequences” for the Bayern Munich youth coach at the center of a racism scandal brought to light by Soccer Inside last week. Those consequences have arrived. The club released the following press release today:

FC Bayern München AG and a youth coach have terminated their employment relationship by mutual agreement. This is the first result of an internal investigation currently taking place at the FC Bayern Campus. Irrespective of this, the underlying facts are being further investigated by FC Bayern München AG.

The release does not state the reason why Bayern and the coach “terminated their employment relationship,” but it is not difficult to read between the lines.

Although Bayern Munich had apparently dismissed anonymous letters criticizing the coach as the work of a single person conducting a “private feud,” the club launched an investigation into the coach after screenshots of WhatsApp chats captured evidence of racism directed toward children with immigrant backgrounds.

The club told Soccer Inside, “The content that you brought to our attention are objects of an internal investigation. We will clarify the authenticity and the facts of the case with our competent officials. We ask for your understanding that we cannot make a statement about this matter in public at the present moment.”

Bayern took action after the coach acknowledged that the screenshots were authentic. We will add further details to the story if and when any emerge.