In Munich, cardinal changes are expected this summer. This was confirmed by the sports director of the club, Uli Hoeness, who has already lost not only the title of German champions this season, but also, probably, a place in the UEFA Champions League.
With three rounds left until the end of the championship, Bayern is in fourth place and is trailing Werder Bremen by 7 points. Let's remind that the three teams who secured tickets to the most prestigious club football tournament on the old continent occupied the first three places.
"Of course, the team will completely change," one of the Bayern leaders said after losing at home to Hamburger.
"Many players had a chance, but they didn't take advantage of it, and they don't deserve to receive a second one. We work hard to build a team that has nothing to do with this one and fights for the title from the beginning. We have enough money, we are diligent, so we want to buy high-level newcomers."
Bayern has triumphed in the German championships 7 times in the last 10 years, so such failure in football country remained unexplained.
Hoeness did not mention the specific names of the players who will not remain in the team. However, it has already been confirmed or reasonably speculated that Claudio Pizarro, Hasan Salihamidzic, Mehmet Scholl, Owen Hargreaves, Roque Santa Cruz, Julio dos Santos, Ali Karimi, and Christian Lell will be leaving. The future of Martino Demichelis, Roy Makaay, and Daniel van Buyten is also uncertain.
Interesting fact is that last week Hoeness violated Bundesliga rules by meeting with Werder star Miroslav Klose at Hanover airport. The media captured it all, but the latter managed to avoid penalties by publicly apologizing and stating that it was just an 'informational meeting', not negotiations for a possible transfer.
It was also reported in the press that Bayern is interested in Chelsea's winger Arjen Robben and is willing to pay 15 million pounds for the Dutchman. Yesterday in Italy, rumors spread that Fiorentina striker Luca Toni has agreed to move to Munich.
"If I said what I think, the club should suspend me," goalkeeper Oliver Kahn said after conceding two late goals, leading to a defeat against Hamburger. "I don't want to lose my job, so I better not say anything."
Head coach Ottmar Hitzfeld also did not shine with optimism: "The situation is very dangerous. The team could collapse."