MATTHIAS SAMMER IS the new sporting director of Bayern Munich, following the departure of Christian Nerlinger.
Sammer, 44, was technical director at the German Football Association (DFB) for six years, and has decided to join the Bavarian club, despite starring for rivals Borussia Dortmund between 1993-1998.
Nerlinger had been behind-the-scenes at the Allianz Arena since 2008, working firstly as technical director and then sporting director.
“On behalf of the club, I would like to express my gratitude to Christian Nerlinger for his work at Bayern over the past four years. I hope that we continue to have a good personal relationship,” Bayern president Uli Hoeness said.
Nerlinger meanwhile, said in his own statement: “I wish Bayern all the best. I’ve had a great and very busy time here, and I will continue to be on good terms with the club.”
The change comes at the end of a difficult campaign for FCB, having finished eight points behind Dortmund in the Bundesliga, runners-up to Jurgen Klopp’s side in the cup and finalists in the Champions League.
Sammer said he wanted to put last season’s disappointment behind him, as did the club.
“We respect what happened last season but it`s over now (the dominance of Dortmund last season),” Sammer said. ”It’s important to be focused on your own strengths and qualities. I think I can add a lot at Bayern.
“We need to respect our opponent, if you only focus on yourself and secure your own skills then you have got to be incredibly strong.
“Bayern Munich will respect what others do, but we must first look at our own quality and develop our own talent. That’s what I am here to do.”
