Hasan Salihamidžić was not always undisputed for a long time - but after a strong summer of transfers, FC Bayern extended his sporting directorship until 2026. The 45-year-old had recently impressed with spectacular commitments such as Sadio Mané and Matthijs de Ligt.
On Monday everything suddenly happened very quickly for Hasan Salihamidžić. First the supervisory board met, then there was initial speculation, and the confirmation followed in the evening: soccer record champions Bayern Munich extended their not always uncontroversial but recently triumphant sports board by three years until 2026. Talks were actually only planned for September.
"I've always said: I love FC Bayern, Munich is my home. I'm very happy that we can continue our very good and ultimately strong cooperation until 2026," said Salihamidžić, who thanked Herbert Hainer in particular. The chairman of the supervisory board supported his "ideas and plans in every phase".
Salihamidžić had recently impressed with spectacular signings such as Sadio Mané and Matthijs de Ligt, the departure of Robert Lewandowski is almost forgotten. "Our team inspires our fans with attractive and successful football. The supervisory board is convinced that together with his board colleagues he will continue to successfully shape the sporting future of FC Bayern in the years to come," said Hainer.
Former professional Salihamidžić was often attacked, but after the series champion's strong transfer summer, public opinion has recently changed. "It is my goal and the goal of my board colleagues to offer our members and fans a nationally and internationally competitive and successful team every season, based on economic sense. I will continue to give everything for this - we are on a very good path", said the 45-year-old.
Salihamidžić took over as sporting director in August 2017, and on July 1, 2020 the supervisory board appointed him to the board of directors of FC Bayern München AG for an initial period of three years until June 30, 2023. "Hasan Salihamidžić gives everything for FC Bayern 24 hours a day. He stands for the FC Bayern gene, for continuity and for titles," said Hainer. As a player, Salihamidžić worked for FC Bayern from 1998 to 2007. With him as sporting director, the club won five German championships, the DFB Cup twice and, to top it off, the Champions League in the historic six-title year 2020/21.
In an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung at the beginning of August, Salihamidžić said his early days at Bayern were "not easy". He "made mistakes" and "burned his fingers here and there. First I had to find my place between Kalle Rummenigge and Uli Hoeneß. Restructuring the team was complicated, then the pandemic came. It was all part of a growth process." Most recently, however, he had formed a functioning and harmonious team with Hainer and CEO Oliver Kahn, which successfully worked on the new squad. Now FC Bayern has also created facts away from the pitch.
