Leipzig parts ways with a key executive linked with Bayern Munich a day before playing Bayern

By: The Associated Press Posted: 12:35 PM CDT Friday, Sep. 29, 2023

LEIPZIG, Germany (AP) — Leipzig parted ways with its top sports executive Max Eberl on Friday citing a “failure to commit to the club” amid speculation linking him with Bayern Munich. The decision came a day before Leipzig plays Bayern in the Bundesliga.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/09/2023 (1094 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Leipzig said Eberl had been “relieved … of his duties with immediate effect.” The club denied the decision was linked to the team’s performance or signings.

“His failure to commit to the club has led to us making this decision. It has nothing to do with the squad’s rebuild or results on the pitch,” the club said.

Leipzig's scorer Emil Forsberg, third right, and his teammates celebrate the opening goal during the German soccer cup first round match between SV Wehen Wiesbaden and RB Leipzig in Wiesbaden, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2023. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)

Reports in Germany in recent days have indicated that Eberl could be of interest to Bayern, which has shaken up its own management structure after difficulties on the field last season and off-field issues including the firing of coach Julian Nagelsmann in March and replacing him with Thomas Tuchel.

Eberl, who was a Bayern player in the early 1990s, had pointed to his Leipzig contract when asked about the speculation and said he wanted to focus on the upcoming game against Bayern, in comments published by the Sport Bild newspaper on Wednesday.

Leipzig is a point behind league leader Bayern before the two teams meet Saturday.

As managing director for sport, Eberl joined Leipzig last year and was credited with overseeing a rebuild which has seen established players like Joško Gvardiol and Dominik Szoboszlai depart for large price tags and the arrival of young talents like Loïs Openda and Paris Saint-Germain loanee Xavi Simons.

Leipzig said sporting director Rouven Schröder would move into Eberl’s role.