Eberl on going Kompany over Flick and refusing to sign Jackson permanently

The Bayern chief revealed Kompany was always top of their priority list, and also confirmed that Nicolas Jackson will not be signed permanently.

Photo: Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images.

Speaking in an interview with ZDF last night, Max Eberl revealed how Bayern Munich went about recruiting Vincent Kompany for the vacant head coach role. 

“We spoke with Nagelsmann, Rangnick and Glasner. Some wanted to bring Flick back. Kompany was always on the list. I didn’t dare approach Vincent first.

“He is a fantastic person and coach (…) We only received positive feedback about him, also from Pep Guardiola. I told Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: ‘Call Pep.’ That was the door opener. Then we signed him," he said.

Regarding the squad itself, the Bavarian club's director of sport confessed they “will not trigger the option for Nicolas Jackson” before discussing the futures of Michael Olise and Manuel Neuer.

“For us, there is not a second of thinking about it [selling Michael Olise this summer]. He is developing excellently.

“He [Manuel Neuer] is a legend. We will sit down and talk calmly. If Manuel feels ready for it, I wouldn’t know what would speak against him doing it for one more year," he said. 

The 52-year-old was then asked about his early days at the German record champions – a time when he seemed under pressure and constant scrutiny in areas of the media.

“I was under the microscope. At one point,  I would have liked a bit more protection. But I know how big Bayern are. You cannot prepare yourself for Bayern. You have to dive straight in," he said.