FC Bayern demands title from basketball team after disappointing season

After a disappointing year without a trophy, FC Bayern's bosses have made a clear title announcement to their basketball players. “It has to be the case that we become German champions!” emphasized club president Herbert Hainer shortly before the start of the new Bundesliga season. “And everything else has to follow afterwards.” By this he means the BBL Cup, which Munich also wants to win, and the Euroleague, in which the playoffs are supposed to go this time.

As top favorites, Bayern were already eliminated in the semi-finals of the cup last season. In the decisive final game of the Bundesliga they had lost a 20-point lead against Alba Berlin. To make matters worse, both bankruptcies happened in their own hall, the SAP Garden.

Hoeneß is still struggling with the defeat in the final against Alba

“This is not Bayern Munich,” complained Honorary President Uli Hoeneß. At an event to mark the 80th anniversary of the club's basketball department, he said that a debacle like that against Alba should not happen. "It doesn't necessarily have to do with the class of the team, but with the mentality - and I didn't like that last year." He added: “Something has to change.”

There have already been two big changes with the commitments of coach Anton Gavel and sports director Thorsten Leibenath. The two are immediately under pressure - the bosses demand titles. “We have also upgraded the team accordingly with new players,” recalled Hainer before the Bundesliga opener on Sunday (6 p.m.) against the Bamberg Baskets.

Hainer wants to tell the team that personally

The president also wants to deliver the announcement of success to his basketball players personally. “They all know where it’s going,” he said. "But before the season starts, I will speak to the team again and make it clear once again what FC Bayern is and what expectations we have."

Hoeneß explained that basketball in Munich is facing a crucial season. Most recently there was great fan interest for two seasons, especially due to the new SAP Garden as a Euroleague venue. “The great euphoria will wear off at some point because people have all been there,” warned the honorary president. “Now they will only come if there is great sport on offer. That is an obligation for those responsible.”