FCB or DFB? Speculation on Bastian Schweinsteiger’s next move after retiring

With news of Bastian Schweinsteiger’s retirement reverberating throughout the soccer world many have begun to wonder what he will do next. Basti hinted at a future in the soccer world in his retirement Instagram post, writing:

Saying goodbye as an active player makes me feel a little nostalgic, but I am also looking forward to the exciting challenges that await me soon. I will remain faithful to football.

The words “I will remain faithful to football” has many wondering what that might look like and what Schweinsteiger’s next role will be. Taking that cue, AZ has laid out some pretty interesting possibilities for Basti’s post-playing life.

One option is obviously a return to Bayern Munich. Bayern’s CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has already said Bayern is open to Basti’s return:

Basti has won everything that there is to win in world soccer. He moreover is a fantastic guy. FC Bayern’s doors are always open for him.

Interestingly enough, Jupp Heynckes felt that Schweinsteiger would not go into coaching despite his brilliant football mind and leadership qualities, even though “he knows so much about soccer, has experienced so much.”

If Schweinsteiger were to return to Bayern, it thus would presumably be in some sort of front office role. As Uli Hoeness steps down and Oliver Kahn’s prepares to succeed Rummenigge, Schweinsteiger might also be one of the new faces of the club. Basti is an international brand, speaks English extremely well, and in light of his time in MLS is apt to become a sort of liaison between Bayern Munich and the United States, a region where the club has been fostering a close relationship.

But Germany might also come calling. Joachim Löwe has also stated that the World Cup winner is welcome back to the German National Team. Löw said,

He was a great player and a great personality. We always have a place for him.

The player who played alongside Schweinsteiger more often than any other, Philipp Lahm, has taken this route, where he is orchestrating the Euro 2024, which Germany will host. Whether it’s at Bayern Munich or the German National Team, Bastian Schweinsteiger has plenty of options post-retirement and a bright future ahead of him!

Tobias Schweinsteiger comments on Basti’s potential coaching career

Basti’s older brother, Tobias Schweinsteiger, also weighed in on brother’s post-playing career speculation. Tobias Schweinsteiger has become a coach himself and is currently an assistant at Hamburger SV. Sport Bild reports that the elder Schweinsteiger warned his little brother of the time restraints of being a football manager, stating,

Compared to a coach, a player’s life is luxurious. You come to training, sure there’s preparations before and after, but then you can check out a lot. As coach, you’re not busy 24/7, but you have long days, you always have your head occupied. That’s what I’ve experienced in my time, that you have to take in many influences and have to process them, and that takes a lot of energy, a lot of strength.

Tobias felt that Basti would probably want to enjoy time with his family before taking on such a time-consuming responsibility. Nice to see the older Schweini looking out for his little bro!

Tobias is still acting as assistant coach for HSV. Hamburg is currently in first place in the 2. Liga with 20 points, ahead of VfB Stuttgart on goal difference.