Low speaks on sacking Kahn, Salihamidzic with Bundesliga in season

Emmanuel Thomas, DPA, Sunday, June 4, 2023

 

MUNICH – Former Germany coach Joachim Löw believes Bayern Munich took a big risk by dismissing CEO Oliver Kahn and sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic shortly before the end of the season.

“From the point of view of a coach, I wouldn’t have liked that,” the 2014 World Cup champion told the Bild TV on Sunday.

Bayern parted ways with Kahn and Salihamidzic a few days before the decisive final matchday of the Bundesliga and announced their decision to the public shortly after they claimed a 11th consecutive league title on May 27.

Such news could “still be leaked” and influence the team accordingly, Löw said.
Borussia Dortmund were set to end Bayern’s reign in the Bundesliga, entering the last matchday at the top of the standings with a two-point advantage over the Bavarians.

However, Dortmund were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Mainz, while Bayern claimed a last-minute 2-1 win at Cologne, taking the title on goal difference. Löw sees a “worrying” development at some Bundesliga clubs and criticized the many coaching changes this season.

“No philosophy can be development and one can’t have peace. Players and teams can’t develop the way you want them to. Some clubs stagnate during their development,” he said.

As good examples, he mentioned Union Berlin and Freiburg. While Union have Urs Fischer as coach since 2018, Christian Streich has had the job at Freiburg since 2012.

Löw also stressed he’s not retired and still wants to return to football after leaving the Germany national team in 2021 following 16 years as head coach. He has already received offers, but will only take a job once “I’m convinced it fits me, that I can make the difference.”