Bayern Munich appoint Sammer as surprise new Director of Sports

German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich have in a surprise move to the public appointed Matthias Sammer as their new Director of Sports in place of Christian Nerlinger. After getting the clearance from the DFB (German FA) to leave his post as Technical Director, Sammer formally joins the Bavarian giants.

There had been rumours around the Säbener Strasse in Munich that Nerlinger could be releaved of his post after a second season without a title, something not acceptable to the FCB management. Then as per the clubs release there were differences of opinion regarding the strategy for the future of the team between the Board of Directors and Nerlinger. This disagreement led to FCB and Nerlinger deciding to part company ahead of the 2012/13 season, but with Euro2012 ahead it was decided to delay this announcement until after the tournament.

Now not only this announcement was made today, but also a new manager (Director of Sports) announced in Matthias Sammer, someone the FCB hierarchy had wanted to bring to the club over many years - first as player, then as coach and now they finally get the 44 year old born in Dresden as manager.

In the course of Monday morning Matthias Sammer has been released from his current duties with the German Football Association (DFB) and was thus free to take up his duties as FC Bayern Munich "Director of Sports" with immediate effect.

"On behalf of the club, I wish to expressly thank Christian Nerlinger for his work for FC Bayern over the last four years," commented FC Bayern Supervisory Board chairman Uli Hoeness, "I very much hope our excellent personal relationship will continue as it is."

39 year old Christian Nerlinger never was able to get out of the larger then life shadow of Uli Hoeness as Director of Sports in his three years in-charge and was never the attacking manager that people expect from a club like Bayern Munich.

"As always, I wish FC Bayern all the best and every possible success," commented Christian Nerlinger, "I've spent a good and very intensive time here and will maintain my links to FC Bayern as a friend of the club."

In Matthias Sammer FCB get a sharp football brain, who has been behind the restructuring of Germany's youth development system with the results filtering through from the bottom upto the senior national team. Sammer is an outspoken character, who has his own opinions and more often then less is not diplomatic which is something the FCB hierarchy would like to see in that position.