Bundesliga: Eberl sees “statement” – discussions about contract issues

After winning the first half of the championship early, Max Eberl seemed relaxed and relaxed. FC Bayern’s deserved, albeit laborious, 1-0 (0-0) win at Borussia Mönchengladbach’s old place of work in the Bundesliga classic on Saturday evening was beneficial for the Munich sports director in several respects.

Thanks to the narrow success against their feared opponents, Bayern withstood the pressure of the resurgent double winner Bayer Leverkusen and secured the Bundesliga autumn championship for the 27th time. In addition, this time the Gladbach supporters largely ignored the long-time Borussia maker who had fallen out of favor with them. Eberl even spoke exuberantly of “a statement” that Bayern had made after Leverkusen’s much more impressive victory at Borussia Dortmund on Friday.

Of course it wasn’t quite like that, even if the record champions won an away game at Borussia Park for the second time in a row for the first time in over ten years. Joshua Kimmich also looked a bit irritated by the sports director’s choice of words. “It wasn’t 4-0 or 5-0,” said the national team captain, describing the victory after a penalty goal from goalgetter Harry Kane (68th minute): “We have to stay humble.”

A month before the summit in Leverkusen, the Bayer team appear to be playing and in better form, but are still four points behind FCB, who have only missed out on the real title after the autumn championship in 1971, 1993 and 2012. This good omen may also have contributed to Eberl’s relaxation.

The 51-year-old has busy weeks, maybe even months ahead. The discussions about possible contract extensions for permanent staff Jamal Musiala (21), Kimmich (29), Alphonso Davies (24), Thomas Müller (35), Manuel Neuer (38) and Leroy Sané (29) are considered groundbreaking.

Eberl wants early clarity in several contract discussions

If these personnel issues are not clarified in time, this could have a negative impact on the final spurt of the season. Eberl also emphasizes this. “We all agree that when crunch time comes in the Bundesliga and the Champions League, then things must be clarified, then the decision must be made – in whatever direction,” he said on Sky .

Apart from Neuer and Müller, for whom no long contract discussions are expected, as well as Sané, who is not consistently delivering, the rest of the trio seems to depend on the famous domino falling. “It is of course a very crucial moment in my career at the moment. I know good reasons to extend it. Nevertheless, I would like to consider where I can have the maximum success in the next three or four years,” said Kimmich. “I will look at it in the next few weeks and months and make a very good decision.”

This could mean that the captain of the national team is waiting to see what Davies, who is probably courted by Real Madrid, and especially Magic Foot Musiala, do. Above all, the extension of Musiala, who is considered a future world footballer, which is being pursued by all means, is likely to have a signal effect. The influence the offensive artist has on Bayern’s offense was illustrated by his absence due to illness in Gladbach, where Bayern’s wit was lacking for a long time.

A lot depends on Musiala in particular

On ZDF, Eberl was confronted with allegedly stalled talks about extending the national player’s contract. “From the outside you think things are stalling. And inside we continue to work in peace. And at some point there will be a decision,” said the sports director.

The question of timing is likely to be crucial here. Because Kimmich also prefers to decide early rather than late. “I feel a responsibility towards the club,” said the midfielder. “I don’t want to wait until July, June or May. I would also like to be certain for myself at some point.” Things remain exciting at Bayern.