Trouble in paradise: Bayern torn by inner struggle

German giants FC Bayern are regarded as one of the world’s best-organized club. Well run, successful on the pitch as well as off it, respected, rich… all seems perfect at the surface. But inside – there is a power struggle raging on. After a year and a half of working together - Head Coach Hansi Flick and Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic can’t see eye to eye.

Hansi Flick was a somewhat low-key appointment when he stepped in to steady the ship following Niko Kovac’s ill-fated tenure in Munich. The Croatian coach left after a disappointing 16 months, his assistant Flick was given an opportunity to see the season out and give the club’s board time to find a new boss. But the former Germany national team assistant coach exceeded all expectations and won the title, Champions League and four more trophies in just over a year. It’s a fairytale-like story at a glance, but in reality, things aren’t going smoothly at all behind the scenes.

Various well-informed German newspapers are reporting that Flick’s relationship with the club’s Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic is at an all-time low. The club is trying to keep quiet about it, animosity between two high-profile employees is causing a ripple effect, sending bad vibrations around the place.

The reasons are many.

Firstly, Flick is disillusioned with Salihamidzic’s performance in the transfer market. The club is yet to recruit an able replacement for Thiago Alcantara who’s been sold to Liverpool. Secondly, Salihamidzic failed to fulfil Flick’s request to sign Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi even though most of the coaching staff were considering the deal to be completed.

On the other hand, Salihamidzic has issues with Flick. The Bosnian has brought in recruits such as Marc Roca, Bouna Sarr, Alexander Nubel and Eric Choupo-Moting who were almost entirely overlooked by the coach. Douglas Costa and Tanguy Nianzou have been out through injury, which leaves former Manchester City winger Leroy Sane as the only Hasan’s signing that’s actually playing.

The problems between the two men who’d also played for Bayern aren’t just transfers-related.

Hansi Flick new German head coach? Bayern manager won’t deny the roumors

Hansi Flick’s ambition is to manage the German national team. He’s already tasted success as Joachim Low’s assistant, but he wants to do it as the main man. Salihamidzic doesn’t like this at all. He was so annoyed that he started actively pushing for the club to bring in the current RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann as Flick’s successor.

The struggle is going on, the clans within the club are forming and the soap opera is only just starting. Pick your favourite character and get some popcorn ready…