How Bayern Munich lost their way in the transfer market

Over the course of the last 15 years, the manner in which the Bavarian giants identify and buy players has changed dramatically. And not for the better.

If there was any doubt that Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl was feeling the heat after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Mainz, it became abundantly clear when he came close to snapping in front of a pack of journalists over questions about the January transfer window. Vincent Kompany’s team had just put in a toothless display against a well-drilled host in a match that had once again underlined the huge problems in Bayern’s squad. And when asked about the prospect of the Bundesliga giants opening their cheque book to find solutions in the January transfer window, Eberl seemed to take great offence at the suggestion.

"No! We have a broad squad that has the quality to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves,” retorted Eberl before stating, unequivocally, that Bayern were no “Geldscheißer”. For those that don’t have any grasp of the German language, let’s just say Eberl confirmed that Bayern’s goose wouldn’t be laying any golden eggs next month. A curious thing to say in front of the live cameras, but even more so when we consider that it was muttered less than a week after the club celebrated reaching new financial heights, by surpassing over €1 billion in revenue.

Of course, no one in Eberl’s position would openly admit to having money to spend just before they go out and spend it. But that moment in the mixed zone of the Mewa Arena revealed two things that have plagued Bayern for some time. One is that Bayern undoubtedly do need to spend money to fix the glaring holes in their team. And the other is that the people in charge of the Munich club are either unwilling or incapable of doing exactly that.