Sports
Bayern Relieve CEO, Sporting Director of Duties
Bayern Munich celebrated winning their 11th straight Bundesliga title on the last day of the 2022/2023 season, in a bizarre fashion by sacking Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Kahn and Sporting Director, Hasan Salihamidzic.
FC Bayern made the disclosure on Saturday via a disclaimer on Saturday.
Barely 60 minutes after their last game of the season, the club released a statement on its website to confirm the decision.
The Club added that it would offer more details as to the direction it would be travelling at a press conference at 11:30 am Munich time on Sunday.
The statement read, “Oliver Kahn is no longer CEO of FC Bayern Munchen.
“Hasan Salihamidzic will also be replaced as a board member for sport. This was decided by the club’s supervisory board.
“Kahn will be replaced by the current vice-chairman of the board Jan-Christian Dreesen. Salihamidzic’s successor is still to be decided.”
Meanwhile, Kahn congratulated the team on Twitter for their victory but stated that he couldn’t celebrate with them because the club prohibited him from doing so.
On the other hand, Salihamidzic expressed his pride in working for Bayern for six years, which he described as a beautiful journey that he would have liked to continue. However, he respected the decision of the board.
In a related development, the club’s vice-chairman, Jan-Christian Dreesen, had already announced that he would leave the club at the end of the season.
It is left to be known, if he will have a change of heart in the face of these recent developments.
Chairman, Supervisory Board of Bayern Munich, Herbert Hainer said in the statement that “the decision to part with Oliver Kahn was anything but easy for the supervisory board.
“Nevertheless, due to the overall development, we have come to the decision to make a new appointment at the top of the executive board,”
Biztellers reports that FC Bayern’s season was marked by nervy twists, and as a result, the club’s two strong men, Salihamidzic and Kahn, had to bear the brunt.
The team was dumped out of the German Cup and Champions League at the quarter-finals, and they only won the league title because Borussia Dortmund dropped points against Mainz on the final day.
Part of what marked the season was that Salihamidzic and Kahn gambled by parting ways with Julian Nagelsmann and hiring Thomas Tuchel as the coach in midseason, yet, the results were not impacted positively.
Analysts are of the opinion that on and off-field incidents impacted on the Club’s performance during the season, citing the brawl between Sadio Mane and Leroy Sane.
Salihamidzic, who played more than 230 Bundesliga games for the club, became the sports director in July 2017 and joined the management board in 2020.
During his time, the club won the Champions League in 2020 and the Bundesliga every year.
In the same vein, Kahn, who played more than 420 league games in goal for Bayern, became the chairman of the board in July 2021. He was absent during the match in Cologne due to the flu.
Sports
Chelsea Handed Injury Boost As Omari Kellyman Nears Return
Chelsea are set to receive a welcome boost with Omari Kellyman nearing a return to action after a frustrating start to his Stamford Bridge career.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who joined the Blues from Aston Villa in a £19 million summer transfer, has been sidelined with a serious hamstring injury since September.
Kellyman initially made an impression with Chelsea’s Under-21s, scoring twice in three appearances, including during a 4-2 defeat to Leipzig in the Premier League International Cup. However, his progress was halted by the injury, which has kept him out of action for months.
READ MORE: Chelsea Desires Permanent Deal For João Félix After Collapse Of Omorodion Deal
According to reports from the Daily Mail, Kellyman is now on track to return within the next four weeks, offering Chelsea a much-needed boost as the team looks to navigate a congested festive fixture schedule. The teenager is expected to be fit before Christmas and could soon make his senior debut for the club.
Reflecting on his move to Chelsea earlier this year, Kellyman expressed his excitement about joining the West London outfit. “It is fantastic to be standing here as a Chelsea player. It’s a massive club with an amazing history, so it is great to join. It is a dream come true for sure. I’m buzzing to have put on the shirt and can’t wait to get started,” he said.
Kellyman’s footballing journey began at Derby County, where he progressed through the youth ranks and was promoted to the first-team squad by Wayne Rooney at just 16 years old.
After leaving Derby for Aston Villa in 2022, he signed his first professional contract and made his Premier League debut last season against Manchester City.
Despite his brief stint at Villa, which included a Europa Conference League appearance, Kellyman made the high-profile move to Chelsea in June, signing a six-year contract.
Now, as he edges closer to full fitness, both the player and the club will hope his long-awaited debut signals the start of a successful tenure at Stamford Bridge.
Sports
Chelsea Holds Scouting Summit With Enzo Maresca
Earlier this month, Chelsea Football Club convened a comprehensive meeting of their first-team recruitment team, aimed at aligning their efforts with the club’s overarching vision.
This scouting summit brought together approximately 30 of the club’s key talent identifiers, with the objective of reinvigorating the search for future stars in world football.
Adding an extra layer of inspiration to the gathering, Leicester City manager and former Manchester City assistant, Enzo Maresca, made a guest appearance. Maresca, who briefly worked alongside some of Chelsea’s current personnel during his time under Pep Guardiola, took time to pose for a group photograph with the team. Those present reportedly left the summit feeling “enthused, energised, and as motivated as ever” to uncover the next generation of footballing gems.
READ MORE: Osimhen Casts Doubts Over Touted Winter Move To Chelsea
The Italian tactician has maintained an interest in Chelsea’s squad and their emerging talents. A source close to Maresca suggested that he harbours a keen desire to see Cole Palmer, one of Chelsea’s brightest young signings, team up with Joao Felix, the Portuguese forward who enjoyed a brief but impactful loan spell at Stamford Bridge last season.
While Palmer continues to thrive at Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester City, Felix’s future remains uncertain, with speculation persisting about whether the Blues could revisit a permanent deal for the Atlético Madrid star.
Chelsea’s recruitment team will undoubtedly keep such possibilities in mind as they look to execute their shared vision, leveraging the energy from this summit to identify players capable of complementing the club’s long-term strategy. With Maresca’s words and presence leaving a lasting impression, the search for the world’s finest footballing gems continues in earnest.
Sports
Lukeba’s €90m Clause Attracts Real Madrid, PL Clubs
RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba has become a hot topic in the transfer market following details about his new contract.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Lukeba’s release clause will come into effect in the summer of 2025, starting at around €90 million and varying from season to season.
This development has drawn the attention of football giants, with Real Madrid reportedly keeping a close watch on the French centre-back’s progress. Premier League clubs are also monitoring Lukeba as a potential defensive reinforcement for 2025.
READ MORE: Wizkid Breaks Spotify Records With ‘Kese (Dance)’ Release
The 20-year-old, who joined Leipzig from Olympique Lyonnais in 2023, has already made an impression in the Bundesliga with his composed defensive skills and tactical versatility. His rising profile has placed him among Europe’s most promising young defenders, making him a coveted target for top clubs.
Leipzig’s decision to include a fluctuating release clause highlights their commitment to protecting Lukeba’s value while leaving the door open for a future big-money move.
With Real Madrid and several Premier League sides in the mix, the 2025 summer transfer window is already shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Lukeba’s career. Fans and scouts alike will be closely watching his development as he continues to shine in Leipzig’s backline.