Bayern confirm Freund's appointment
German record champions FC Bayern München quickly confirmed Christoph Freund's appointment as their new sporting director on Tuesday afternoon. The former Ralf Rangnick protégée is set to assume office on September 1st.
After rumors began emerging early this morning, both RB Salzburg and FC Bayern München confirmed that Christoph Freund would be leaving Austria to join the record champions at the same time on Tuesday afternoon. As reported earlier, the 46-year-old will not assume office until the end of the current transfer window on September 1st.
In lieu of a formal rollout, statements were released by both clubs simultaneously. Freund thanked RB for "17 successful and emotional years" before addressing his new task as Hasan Salihamidzic's successor. The former right-hand-man of German squad-builder and coach Ralf Rangnick promised that he would be fully committed to his new charge.
"After the talks with those responsible at FC Bayern, it was clear to me that I wanted to accept this new challenge," Freund noted, "It's important to me that a club has an identity, and that's what FC Bayern stands for without a doubt."
"We are delighted that, in Christoph Freund, we have been able to attract such an experienced and successful sporting director to FC Bayern," Bayern boss Jan-Christian Dreesen added in his own statement, We are convinced that he is the right person to further strengthen the team in the future together with the coaching team around Thomas Tuchel and technical director Marco Neppe."
ℹ Dienstantritt am 1. September: FC Bayern holt Christoph Freund als Sportdirektor.
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) July 18, 2023