In our series about the FC Bayern coaching staff over the coming days, we present head coach Vincent Kompany's assistants to you in more detail. In part 3 it's René Marić, who worked in a different function for the German record champions before this summer. Find the other profiles below:
A. Danks F. N'Galula R. Marić M. Rechner W. Gfrerer/B. Geers
In the newly assembled coaching staff of Vincent Kompany, René Marić is the longest-serving among the assistants. The 31-year-old started at the German record champions in November of last year as team leader for coach development & playing philosophy. In spring, the Austrian additionally took over the German record champions' U19 side, leading them to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Youth League for the first time. Now he's arrived in the first-team coaching setup – it's been a pretty busy time!
Marić: A privilege to work for FC Bayern
René Marić in FC Bayern training: "It means a lot to me to work for this fantastic club"
"The last few months have been turbulent but also very interesting," says Marić. "It's also a privilege for me to learn so many different positions at a club like this." According to Marić, his area of work is of secondary importance; it's more about being able to offer the club and the players as much as possible. Born in Oberndorf near Salzburg, not far from the German-Austrian border, Marić has been a Bayern fan from an early age. Wherever you could get tickets in the region, René Marić was there with his family – whether it was for the FCB first team, women's team or reserves.
A young René Marić: "A Bayern fan from an early age"
But from a young age, his connection to football went well beyond being a fan. As a teenager he coached at amateur level and was one of the founders of the tactics blog spielverlagerung.de. During his psychology studies in Salzburg, he got to know current RB Leipzig coach Marco Rose, who then worked in the academy at Austrian serial champions RB Salzburg. "I used to watch his team and that's how we came across each other," reveals Marić. The acquaintance developed into a partnership – initially in the youth department, later also as assistant coach of the first team at Salzburg: "That was a great opportunity for me. I'm very grateful to him for that."
Stints in the Bundesliga and Premier League
Marić followed Rose at further clubs, becoming the youngest assistant coach in the Bundesliga at the age of 27 at Borussia Mönchengladbach – before going their separate ways in 2022 after another year together at Borussia Dortmund. Marić joined Leeds United in the Premier League for a season. His new boss Kompany therefore recognises the experience that Marić boasts despite his young age, as well as his "sound tactical knowledge and great understanding of the game".
Marić and his then boss Marco Rose (second from left) in 2019 pre-season: "That was a great opportunity for me."
The assistant coach has always kept his eye on the big picture: In addition to holding a master's degree in psychology and the UEFA Pro Licence, Maric is also an author. His book "Football through Football’ was published in 2015, followed recently by his next release: In "Analysing Football", he explains why there should be no difference between theory and practice in football coaching.
Preparation and evaluation of matches
"Analysis is just new German for observation. Every coach must analyse the match, otherwise he doesn't know what he's coaching," says Marić, whose main task on the coaching staff will be match planning. That means analysing the previous match and implementing the points from it in the training process with a view to the next game. However, the crossover between the assistants' individual areas of responsibility is fluid. "At the end of the day, we'll work together closely in all areas," adds Marić.
Marić with head coach Vincent Kompany and fellow assistant Aaron Danks on the training pitch: "At the end of the day, we'll work together closely in all areas."
That doesn't just apply to the first-team section. Marić will continue to carry out his job as a link between the pros and the youth department. "We have very good people at the Campus: coaches, staff and many highly talented players," says Marić. "I want to be a bridge, through which we can transport content to the Campus, but also so that people on Campus have someone to talk to." One thing's for sure: the coming months won't be boring for René Marić.
Series continues
Our series continues with the next part tomorrow, when we introduce you to goalkeeping coach Michael Rechner in more detail. Find out how he sees the day-to-day work with Manuel Neuer and Co, what he learned from meeting a national handball coach and where the 44-year-old worked before his time at FCB. Watch this space!
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