FC Bayern boss Oliver Kahn comments again on Sunday on Sky pundit Lothar Matthäus’ accusation that he lied in the Nagelsmann case.
Poisonous arrows flew between Oliver Kahn and Lothar Matthäus on the day of the Bundesliga summit between FC Bayern München and Borussia Dortmund. There was a huge row, with Bayern boss Kahn attacking Sky pundit Matthäus for the circumstances in Munich surrounding the surprising departure of Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann and the signing of Thomas Tuchel as his successor. While the champions outplayed BVB 4:2, Matthäus even accused Kahn of lying. On Sunday, Kahn countered: “We told the truth.”
On Bild-TV, Kahn once again took a stand on the accusations Matthäus had made: that FC Bayern had trampled on the mantra “Mia san mia”, that they had not wanted to inform Julian Nagelsmann about his replacement first. Nagelsmann’s management had issued a statement on Saturday evening saying that there had been no contact on the part of FC Bayern, but that the Nagelsmann side had inquired itself about the emerging rumours of his dismissal.
Kahn did not want to “go into details again” on Sunday, but then explained: “We said it the way it happened. I don’t know what Lothar sees, hears and feels. It’s his job to be the chief critic – it’s okay for things to get a bit rough. But you shouldn’t cross boundaries.” On the spat with Lothar Matthäus, Kahn explained, “If you criticise him, he can’t handle it, then he becomes silent. We have told the truth at all times, and Lothar’s statements don’t change that.”
The FC Bayern board chairman stressed that Julian Nagelsmann “continues to be a top coach”, but “if successes and goals are at risk, it is our job to act – even if it is unpopular”. In principle, at FC Bayern “one of our goals is to work with a coach for as long as possible”, said Oliver Kahn. But the goals at the German record champion are gigantic: “We practically have to become German champions, we practically have to win the cup – and win the Champions League at the same time. That’s what the team has worked for, that’s the appeal of the club: this enormous demand. For coaches, that’s an incredibly challenging task. “
With Thomas Tuchel as coach, however, Oliver Kahn and FC Bayern see themselves well-positioned for the future: “He has shown that he can manage a team like Paris Saint-Germain, lead the team to the Champions League final; he has shown that he can work successfully at Chelsea straight away and even win the Champions League – then these are things that are also very valuable at FC Bayern. “