Training camp in Doha
For the eighth time the year started with the annual training camp in Doha for the FCB pros. Once again mascot Berni accompanied the team, watching the public training sessions and visiting a number of events as part of the so-called Trophy Tour. The Bavarians also brought the 2016/17 championship shield with them, exhibiting the Meisterschale during public training sessions on a daily basis and for a number of times at Hamad International Airport. Besides seeing the Bayern pros, the fans enjoyed a diverse supporting programme.
FCB coaches in the US
FC Bayern's international coaches were on duty too. Klaus Augenthaler and Thomas Döllner visited FCB's youth development partner Global Premier Soccer (GPS) in the US from 13 to 19 January. The purpose of the annual visit is to strengthen the intense and longstanding partnership with GPS. The focus was on the FC Bayern Junior Showcase in Palm Desert, California, where a total of 900 players from 13 states participated under the auspices of FC Bayern's international coaches. The Bavarians subsequently travelled to Arizona to visit GPS partner club Arizona Thunder Soccer Club.
USCC Philadelphia 2018
The United Soccer Coaches (formelry NSCAA) stage the yearly USC Congress to unite the US footballing family at the beginning of the year. A number of international experts visited this year's venue Philadelphia from 17 to 21 January to address a total of around 11,000 participants. Bianca Rech, FC Bayern Women team manager, represented FC Bayern at the event.
Lizarazu en route to China and India
FC Bayern brand ambassador Bixente Lizarazu is on his way to Asia. The Frenchman is en route to China to give interviews and participate in fan club events in Hangzhou and Nanjing to exchange views with local FC Bayern fans. Liza will subsequently travel to New Delhi to watch the national FC Bayern Youth Cup final in India at the adidas-base-delhi and invite the best players to the Youth Cup final in Munich.
Besides numerous media appointments, Liza will attend a public viewing event for FCB's encounter with Mainz on 3 February to watch the match together with Berni, the championship shield and a number of Bayern fans as part of the Trophy Tour.