New Delhi: Oliver Kahn’s tenure as Bayern Munich’s CEO will likely not be fondly remembered by many Bayern fans. The period saw questionable decisions, such as Julian Nagelsmann’s sudden sacking and the hiring of Thomas Tuchel. The timing of Nagelsmann’s dismissal left many scratching their heads, as it happened during a crucial part of the season. Tuchel’s arrival didn’t have the desired impact, and the change led to instability that hurt Bayern’s overall performance.
Under Kahn’s leadership, Bayern also made some transfer mistakes. They brought in players who, in hindsight, didn’t live up to expectations. This added to a growing wage bill, as certain players were given large contracts they arguably didn’t deserve. While it’s not fair to place all the blame on Kahn, these errors contributed to a drop in Bayern’s quality on the pitch.
Even though they managed to win the Bundesliga in 2023, it wasn’t a convincing victory. Borussia Dortmund’s collapse on the last day handed Bayern the title, and it was clear that the club’s dominance was beginning to slip. In 2024, Bayern couldn’t hold on to their title and lost the Bundesliga crown to Bayer Leverkusen.
Kahn’s sacking at the end of the 2022/23 season wasn’t a complete shock given the club’s inconsistent results, but the problems weren’t all down to him. Bayern’s issues stemmed from poor planning, and even though they still managed to win trophies during Kahn’s time, they didn’t look like the unbeatable team they had been in previous years.
However, he had certain interesting insights into the dominance of Bayern Munich in the German first-division league and how it tarnishes its overall reputation as a competition around the world.
Oliver Kahn: “The competition must not become predictable”
Oliver Kahn on Bayern’s 11-year dominance of the Bundesliga: “The competition must not become predictable. If the competition is dominated by a few clubs over a long period of time, then success becomes inflationary and thus devalued. How honest is a competition in a league when… pic.twitter.com/u85gochSjU
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) September 5, 2024
Oliver Kahn, in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated Germany, brought up an important issue regarding the Bundesliga. He said, “The competition [within the Bundesliga] must not become predictable. If the competition is dominated by a few clubs over a long period of time, then success becomes inflationary and thus devalued.” Kahn makes a valid point here. When one team, like Bayern, wins the title year after year, it removes some of the excitement from the league. Fans of other leagues often mock the Bundesliga, calling it a “farmer’s league,” implying that it’s not competitive. While this is an unfair label, the lack of title contenders in recent years has made the Bundesliga less interesting to outsiders.
Kahn also highlighted how the financial differences between clubs create a gap that’s hard to close. When some clubs have much larger budgets than others, it becomes nearly impossible for the smaller teams to challenge for the title. This imbalance is one of the main reasons Bayern has been so dominant. However, Kahn was quick to add that you can’t blame Bayern for being successful, and he’s right in that regard. It’s not Bayern’s fault they’ve built a winning machine, but the lack of competition is an issue for the league as a whole.
In the long run, this dominance hurts the Bundesliga. Fans want to see close races, underdogs winning, and excitement going down to the wire. Kahn understands this, but he also faced the pressure to keep Bayern at the top during his time as CEO. It’s a tough balance to strike. On one hand, you want your team to keep winning; on the other, too much success can reduce the value of those victories.
Opinion: Bundesliga needs to boost competitive edge
Can the Bundesliga revive with the rise of Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund? (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Kahn’s points are hard to argue with. While Bayern’s dominance has been impressive, it’s come at a cost. The Bundesliga is often seen as predictable, and this has damaged its image compared to leagues like the Premier League or La Liga, where multiple teams regularly fight for the title. If the Bundesliga wants to grow its global fanbase, it needs more competition. Exciting leagues are ones where anything can happen, where big teams can lose to smaller ones, and where the title race is thrilling until the very last match.
The Bundesliga needs to be more competitive to attract more interest. Introducing rules similar to the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) could help by limiting how much top clubs can spend. This would make it easier for teams that focus on youth development to compete. By promoting teams other than Bayern Munich and helping them sign top players, the league can become more exciting. This would make the Bundesliga more appealing to fans and improve the overall quality of the games. Balancing the financial power among teams is crucial for a more engaging competition.
Bayern’s success has set the bar high, but it’s also made the league less interesting. If other clubs can’t rise to the challenge, the Bundesliga risks becoming less relevant on the international stage. While Kahn’s time as CEO didn’t turn out as he hoped, his insights on the competition issue are important. The Bundesliga needs to find ways to level the playing field, so the league can once again be seen as one of the most exciting in Europe.
Oliver Kahn argued that predictable dominance devalues success, making the league less exciting and reducing the competitiveness of football. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
