Christoph Freund takes up his post as FC Bayern's new sporting director on 1 September! The 46-year-old Austrian was officially unveiled at a press conference alongside CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday. We've summarised the key statements from the meeting with the media.
Freund on his move
„It's a great honour and a dream for me to be able to work for this club now. FCB is the best club in the German-speaking world.”
Christoph Freund
"I'm delighted to be here. I had a very nice 17 years at Red Bull Salzburg. I wasn't thinking about moving, but then I got the request from FC Bayern. The club stands for values I can identify with very well. It's a great honour and a dream for me to be able to work for this club now. FCB is the best club in the German-speaking world."
Dreesen on Freund
„Christoph has a very good reputation in the business and a very good knowledge of it. His work ethic is excellent.”
Jan-Christian Dreesen
"We're very excited about working with Christoph. He has a very good reputation in the business. His work ethic is excellent. Christoph did an excellent job at Salzburg and won lots of trophies. He has a very good eye, especially regarding talent discovery and development."
Freund on his remit
„My area of responsibility includes the team, the staff and interacting with the Campus.”
Christoph Freund
"My area of responsibility includes the team, the staff and interacting with the Campus on how we can develop young talents. We all have to develop strategies together on how we can develop homegrown talents in a more targeted way while still remaining very successful. I want to be a contact person for everyone in the club. I want to support wherever I can. It's nice to have personalities like Herbert Hainer, Jan-Christian Dreesen, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge or Uli Hoeneß at my side at FC Bayern. My job is to implement the day-to-day business, but of course I will always have discussions with them."
Freund on the importance of the Campus
„We want to bring on one or two players from the Campus. But we'll also keep bringing in top players. It's important to have a mix of both things.”
Christoph Freund
"The biggest challenge will be to develop young players into great players. That will also take some time. There's still room for improvement and the Campus can become even more important. You can dovetail the processes even more. That's an important approach. It's important, also financially, to develop top talent. We want to bring on one or two players from the Campus. But we'll also keep bringing in top players. It's important to have a mix of both things."
Freund on Thomas Tuchel
„I'll discuss in the next few days with Thomas whether I'll sit in the dugout or in the stands. I'm really looking forward to working with him.”
Christoph Freund
"We've already got to know each other. The discussions have been extremely good. He's one of the best coaches in the world and has worked with many top players. The coach is a very important person for the club. It's important to have very open communication. I'll discuss in the next few days with Thomas whether I'll sit in the dugout or in the stands. I'm really looking forward to working with him."
Dreesen on current transfers
„Benjamin Pavard flew to Milan yesterday. The medical is today, and if it's successful, he'll move to Inter Milan.”
Jan-Christian Dreesen
"Benjamin Pavard flew to Milan yesterday. The medical is today, and if it's successful, he'll move to Inter Milan. He's had four wonderful years with us, certainly the highlight being 2020 when we won six trophies. I won't comment on any other names, the transfer window is still open for another two days. We're working on it."
You can read all of Freund's and Dreesen's statements in our live blog of the press conference:
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