Felix Magath sees parallels with Manchester United

Former FC Bayern coach Felix Magath sees the role of honorary president Uli Hoeneß as a problem for the club – and compares the situation to that of Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson.

“Manchester United has the same problem as Bayern: One man has led the club for many decades and made it great, so he will always be the contact person for many in the club,” said Magath on the talk show Sky90. “That’s why he still has a say in what happens there even after his departure. Just not officially anymore.”

Since Hoeneß left as president in autumn 2019, FC Bayern has won the triple and another championship title. United, on the other hand, have been waiting for a league title since Ferguson vacated the coaching post in 2013. The 80-year-old Scotsman is currently a member of the board.

Hoeneß’ role in the background at FC Bayern is “a problem” especially for the current sports director Hasan Salihamidzic, as Magath suspected: “He has to discuss things with Hoeneß beforehand when it comes to contracts like Robert Lewandowski or Manuel Neuer.” The same applies to the CEO Oliver Kahn, who has been in office since 2021. “I don’t know if Kahn can swim free,” said Magath.

Magath coached FC Bayern from 2004 to 2007 and won the double twice during this time. Magath most recently worked as Global Sports Director for the football branches of the company Flyeralarm Würzburger Kickers and Admira Wacker Mödling.