Bayern sporting director targeting new striker after shock DFB-Pokal exit

Bayern sporting director targeting new striker after shock DFB-Pokal exit

Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has outlined the club's plans to bring in a new striker in the transfer window after Tuesday's shock 2-1 DFB-Pokal defeat to Freiburg. 

Thomas Tuchel's side took the lead in their quarter-final fixture through Dayot Upamecano but were pegged back by Nicolas Hoefler's strike, before Lucas Hoeler's 95-minute penalty sent the Bundesliga leaders crashing out.

Bayern will now miss out on the final of the competition for the third successive season, and Salihamidzic was adamant signing a new striker will be necessary for the club to move forward next season.

"Of course we will sit down and see what we need to do in the transfer market," he said after the game.

"But the games show: To go into the new season with just Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Mathys Tel, Thomas Muller and Sadio Mane would be negligent.

"In all likelihood, there will be a new striker. Whether it's Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen or Randal Kolo Muani, the coming weeks will show."

Bayern remain top of the Bundesliga and are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, but they have struggled to replace the output of the talismanic Robert Lewandowski since his departure to Barcelona at the end of last season.

The Poland international scored 110 goals in just 94 league games in his last three seasons at Bayern as the club won three consecutive Bundesliga titles and the Champions League. 

Choupo-Moting has led the line in Lewandowski's absence this season but has scored just 10 league goals.

Despite the disappointing result against Freiburg, Salihamidzic remained positive about Tuchel's appointment and refused to lay the blame for the defeat at the door of the new boss.

"It is bitter for all of us, but it has nothing to do with the coach," Salihamidzic said.

"It's a process. He makes a very good impression and is doing a very good job. Today was bitter for all of us, but we will continue on Saturday."

More News on this


RB Leipzig 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt: Nkunku ensures DFB-Pokal defence

RB Leipzig 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt: Nkunku ensures DFB-Pokal defence


Christopher Nkunku and Dominik Szoboszlai scored as RB Leipzig retained the DFB-Pokal with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in Saturday's final at the Olympiastadion.

Nkunku – playing what will likely be his final game for Leipzig amid suggestions he is set to join Chelsea – beat Kevin Trapp with a deflected effort 71 minutes into a tight encounter in Berlin.

Read more
Tuchel takes responsibility as Bayern Munich sunk late in DFB-Pokal

Tuchel takes responsibility as Bayern Munich sunk late in DFB-Pokal


Thomas Tuchel accepted responsibility for Bayern Munich's DFB-Pokal quarter-final exit, after they suffered a late 2-1 loss against Freiburg.

The Bundesliga leaders looked set for extra-time at Allianz Arena, after Dayot Upamecano's header was cancelled out by Nicolas Hofler.

Read more
Muller bemoans Bayern 'shambles' after another DFB-Pokal failure

Muller bemoans Bayern 'shambles' after another DFB-Pokal failure


Thomas Muller was left feeling bitter after Bayern Munich were saddled "with the shambles" of another DFB-Pokal failure against Freiburg.

The Bundesliga leaders slipped to a 2-1 defeat in the quarter-finals, after Lucas Holer's 95th-minute penalty condemned them to a late loss.

Read more