Sports 3 min read 1h ago

Eberl Extends Contract, Cigar Reveal

Max Eberl confirmed he will extend his Bayern Munich contract until 2029, describing the renewal as the product of hard work rather than a reward.
Jamal Musiala is back in full team training but has been left out of the squad for the Stuttgart fixture as he adjusts to medication under medical supervision.
Eberl placed a 99% probability on the transfer window being closed, while acknowledging Bayern are open to selling an unnamed Heidenheim loan returnee if an offer materialises.

Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl used Wednesday's pre-match press conference, ahead of the club's fixture against Stuttgart, to confirm he will extend his contract until 2029 — and to offer a candid admission about how he marked last season's Double triumph: with a cigar.

Eberl on his contract and the cigar

Eberl acknowledged that his renewal had not come easily. "Bayern Munich is not something you can prepare for — you experience it from the inside. My extension was anything but a gift; it was a great deal of work," he said. Addressing the difficult period that followed Uli Hoeneß's public criticism of him after the DFB-Pokal final, Eberl struck a reflective but ultimately satisfied tone. "It has been two very intense years. I was immensely happy that we won the Double, and I smoked a cigar that evening, if I may say so — I enjoyed the rewards of victory."

Musiala training but absent from squad

Manager Vincent Kompany provided a measured update on Jamal Musiala, who has been absent from matchday squads in recent weeks. Musiala suffered a health scare during pre-season and Kompany confirmed the midfielder is currently adjusting to a course of medication. "He is fully involved in team training today, but he will not be in the squad for tomorrow. That also means he is adapting to the medication and responding well. At some point he will be back in the squad and playing again. We are making decisions hand in hand with the experts at the moment, but he is doing well," the manager said.

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Saibari and 'Lenny' in contention

On a more encouraging note, Kompany confirmed that a player referred to only as "Lenny" has returned to the group after a lengthy absence, though the extent of his role remains to be determined. Separately, Kompany indicated that Saibari is making significant progress and could be a candidate for a starting berth or the full ninety minutes.

Transfer window: 99% closed

Eberl was pressed on whether the club's transfer business is complete. He stopped short of an absolute guarantee. "Ninety-nine per cent. If a player arrives who is essentially given to us… I cannot say one hundred per cent," he said. He also acknowledged that Bayern are open to allowing an unnamed player — described as having had a strong season on loan at Heidenheim before returning to the club — to leave if the right situation arises. The club has already moved to manage its squad numbers in recent weeks. "We have the idea that we would like to release him, and we have communicated that to the player's agency," Eberl said.

Kompany on the title race

Asked to assess Bayern's prospects in the Bundesliga, Kompany was characteristically measured. "Everything starts at zero. Who will be first, second, third, or fourth — I cannot say yet. I hope we are just as strong as last year or even better. We have seen a strong Dortmund, and I believe they will be consistent," he said. Kompany declined to discuss the terms of Eberl's renewal but praised the working environment the sporting director and technical director Christoph Freund have created, describing it as one that makes "every organisation better." Bayern's summer transfer strategy has faced scrutiny in recent months, making Eberl's public reaffirmation of stability all the more significant as the competitive season begins.