Bayern boss slams claims of disharmony

MUNICH - Agence France-Presse

Spanish midfielder Martinez (C) talks with Sammer (L) and Heynckes (R). EPA photo

Bayern Munich’s director of sport Matthias Sammer has hit back at suggestions his relationship with coach Jupp Heynckes is strained.

Sammer took over as Bayern’s director of sport in July, having been technical director of the German Football Federation (DFB) since 2006, but the move has attracted some criticism.

Eintracht Frankfurt’s chairman Heribert Bruchhagen said Sammer’s presence on Bayern’s bench can only serve to unnerve Heynckes.

And ex-Germany and Bayern captain Oliver Kahn, who now works as a television pundit, has said Sammer was acting like a second coach in Munich.

But Sammer hit back last weekend by telling German Sky any suggestion of his strained relationship with Heynckes is “total crap” and expanded on his reaction to German daily Bild.

“I have asked Heribert Bruchhagen directly if he has a problem and he hasn’t, but with Oliver Kahn it is a different matter,” Sammer told Bild. “We have a good relationship, but I have already told him a thousand times how I see the role of the sports director and the coach. Oliver Khan has a strong influence on football in Germany and he must be aware of the effect his words have.”