Bayern beset by discord with Eberl cast into The Thick of It

Club legend's criticism of Tuchel before semi-final first leg tonight provides head of sport with difficult welcome

- Andy Brassell

Max Eberl was hot property for a reason. In just shy of 15 years at Borussia Mönchengladbach he became one of Europe's most admired sporting directors, returning one of Germany's most famous names to prominence through multiple qualifications for the Champions League and Europa League. He built through smart signings and the promotion and development of quality academy products. The only surprise was that it took ill health which he has thankfully recovered from to shift him from his post rather than the overtures of one of the continent's giants.

His experience and his clarity of thought is clear, with his work having spoken for itself over a number of years. The 50-year-old has also ridden out bumps in his career path, such as the venomous reaction of some Gladbach supporters to his choice to join RB Leipzig, and then Leipzig's decision to abruptly part ways with him in September last year when they felt he was flirting with the possibility of work elsewhere.

There is dealing with difficulty and there is sorting out a spat at Bayern Munich with a pair of season-defining matches on the horizon. As Real Madrid roll into view, the head of sport has his hands full, even before an anticipated summer of change. Eberl might have had an Amazon Prime or Netflix documentary in mind; now, it should be clear to him that he is starring in The Thick Of It. Less than two months after he officially started work at Säbener Strasse, this is a formal Welcome To Bayern.