As he comes under increasing pressure following Bayern’s apparent ceding of the Bundesliga title to Borussia Dortmund, and ahead of the club’s special meeting of the Supervisory board, CEO Oliver Kahn didn’t hold back in his criticism of the players’ performance against RB Leipzig at the weekend.
While there were clear deficiencies in the Bayern game that have plagued them in the title run-in, Kahn opted for the honest approach rather than protecting the players. “I am deeply disappointed that we gave up this huge opportunity that we had to become German champions on our own” he said post-match.
“We weren’t intelligent today. It got less and less after going 1-0 up. Then we get a 1-1, I’ve rarely seen anything like that. We’re 1-0 up and have a corner kick and then we’re countered in a four-on-one situation.
“We still had a lot of time, but I didn’t have the feeling that we still had it in the tank to be able to beat Leipzig. It’s happened several times this season that you’ve had the feeling that everything collapses when a goal is conceded or the situation gets difficult when resistance arises. I didn’t have the feeling that we still had much to oppose after the 1-1 draw.
“We have to answer the question of why this is happening, and much more why we then have nothing to oppose. That’s bitter, now we don’t have it in our own hands anymore. Everyone is initially disappointed, including the players, they ask themselves a lot of questions.”
There are so many question being asked about Bayern right now with the distinct possibility now that they will finish the season empty handed- something which is anathema to those associated with the club. There will be consequences, and Kahn must be fearing that he will be made the sacrifice when the axe of blame falls.
Coming out so harshly against the players may antagonize those who believe the CEO should be looking at his own performance and to say that support for him is dwindling would be an understatement. This really is not the way Bayern saw the progression from the Uli Hoeneß/ Karl-Heinz Rummenigge era panning out. Expect change at Bayern this summer.
