Bayern’s Embracing Universality

Hans-Dieter Flick has re-energised a team that has lost its way. We are now seeing a team capable of being the best in world football.

One can argue that Bayern Munich have been the team of the decade. There, I've just argued it. Their progression and development has mirrored the German national team progress and evolution. Louis van Gaal introduced the Dutch possession game a decade ag and took Bayern to the 2010 Champions League final. He started the careers of players like Muller and Alaba, as well as converting Schweinsteiger into a central midfielder. He started the journey and laid some key foundations. 

Yet it was Jupp Heynckes who embraced a more gegenpressing approach, similar to that of Klopp's high energy Dortmund side. That counter attacking high energy team between 2011 – 2013, culminating in two Champions League final appearances, were fantastic. Remember the destruction of Barca in 2013? 

But Bayern went looking for something more. A man who could take them to being more than just successful, but creating a legacy. Pep Guardiola arrived in Bavaria in 2013 and yet while Bayern dominated the Bundesliga in his time, they could not reach another Champions League final. Yes they were a missed Thomas Muller penalty away from progressing to the final in 2016, where perhaps they could have won and Guardiola could have ended his time at Bayern a ‘success’. But it wasn’t to be. Three semi-final exits to Spanish opposition showed quality but perhaps similar vulnerabilities.  

Yet it was clear that Guardiola had taken the team to a whole new level of play, a domination of the ball, a suffocating game of pressing, ball movement and possession. It opened new tactical elements, more variety, more fluidity, more flexibility. But they couldn’t get past the semi-final stages and the legacy which Guardiola and Uli Hoeness sought to achieve, was not truly realised. 

Guardiola left in 2016 and while Bayern have continued to win the league (this will be Bayern’s 8^th title success in a row if they win this season), there is a feeling that Bayern lost their way. That the identity they sought, the legacy they desired, had been lost. 

A period lacking an identity except dominance 

I last wrote an article on Bayern in 2017. You can read it here. It’s a frustrated piece that asks if perhaps Guardiola didn’t reach the heights of what he could have at Bayern. And the question asked, was what now? What would Bayern do post-Guardiola. Well, truth is, Bayern have stopped stimulating me. 

My book Universality - How Germany and Pep Guardiola Are Showing Us the Future Football Game saw a club in Bayern, a nation in Germany and a coach in Guardiola (as well as a progressive in Low) as the guides to the future game. A game of fluidity, of universal footballers and a universal game which was the epitome of total football, the modern version. Fast tempo, tactically intelligent, inter-changeable players and positions, fluid football. Guardiola took that to Man City and built a great side playing this way there. But Bayern and even Germany stumbled and lost their way. 

Guardiola's time at Bayern was the culmination  of almost a decade of preparation and planning, a vision and strategy led predominately by Uli Hoeness. Was it a success? Well Bayern dominated domestically yet haven't been able to create a dynasty in Europe. And the legacy they sought? I would have to say no. 

Germany's attempt for progression yet failure ensued 

After 2014 it seemed Germany were going to dominate the international game. Like France in 98 and 2000 and Spain between 2006-2012, yet it hasn't happened like that. Germany didn’t even make it out of their group when defending their World Cup?! And as I didn’t write an article at the time, I have always felt they were unfortunate, while naïve. 

A younger side yes, a team in the midst of building a new era, young players like Kimmich, Brandt and Werner to lead them forward. And within this they sought to play an even more expansive and fluid style. They dominated the ball, they sought to push their wing backs very high. And they left themselves vulnerable while they couldn’t kill the game with goals. Do I think Germany played badly in Russia? No, actually. But they didn't do what you need to do - score and defend your goal. 

Similar to their 2016 Euro’s exit to France, losing 1-0, they dominated the games, but lacked killer instinct and looked vulnerable in transitions. Many would argue that Germany had lost their way, but in truth they had sought to go beyond their levels of 2014, had sought to leave a legacy. And yet their drive to push new boundaries left them weak and they were punished. Had Werner been as good as he is now, perhaps they could have progressed and moved out the group and grown through through the tournament. 

My point is, Germany are still one of the best sides in world football. And I believe are still playing a style of football which seeks to be the most innovative team in world football. So it’s not too surprising to see the former national team assistant coach to Joachim Low, leading a mini revolution at Bayern. 

A period of stagnation

Post-Guardiola Carlo Ancelotti was a safe pair of hands, not a tactical radical, and after Guardiola perhaps the players may have preferred a calmer and less intense coach, but the truth was that the intensity of Guardiola and level of detail was infectious. Ancelotti wasn’t the next step for Bayern, he was a safe choice. And it didn’t work. The team didn’t progress. 

Jupp Heynckes came in to save the day again, however he couldn’t get past Real Madrid at the semi-final stages. A big choice was needed to lead Bayern forward, and it was Nico Kovac who was given the opportunity. He would win a league and cup double in his first season. But it just didn’t seem right. The chemistry between the coach and players seemed off. Perhaps Bayern were going through a transition period in terms of the greats of the past decade, and ushering in a new era for the club with newly acquired and young talent. 

Bayern weren’t terrible under Kovac, remember the demolition of Spurs in London in October? A 7-2 win which was an example of energy, pressing and ruthlessness. Serge Knabry looked like the best forward in the game. However after a 5-1 defeat to Eintract Frankfurt a month later the writing was on the wall for Kovac after just a season. Kovac was crtiical of players and the desire to play with more energy, more like the new kings of Europe Liverpool. When asked if Bayern could be more like Liverpool, he responded “You have to have the players for that kind of pressing game. You can't drive at 200 on the Autobahn with a limit of 100.” A stinging criticism and a reflection of the issues between Kovac and the team he had. This was a coach who criticised Thomas Muller and refereed him to as a 'last resort'. Not a smart move. And perhaps a reflection that Muller wasn’t working for Kovac in the same way Kovac didn’t see the value and intelligence of Muller. 

Perhaps he wanted more control and changes, which Bayern’s hierarchy weren’t going to give him. Not getting Leroy Sane (for me one of the best forwards in world football) was a blow. Kovac wanted a defensive midfielder to bolster the defensive strength in midfield, and was given Coutinho instead! But the truth was that the relationship and philosophy of Kovac wasn’t working for Bayern. Not for them to reach the heights of success of the previous years. 

Bayern needed someone who could bring back the ideas, intensity and intelligence which Guardiola had brought. Look, it’s very hard to replace the best coach in the world, he works at an intensity and a level of detail which many cannot match. Therefore, after Pep, it’s going to be worse. Just how worse. 

Hans-Dieter Flick was on Kovac’s coaching staff and was put in temporary charge while they sought a new coach. A few of the big names were mentioned; Mourinho - a man of success but quality football and creating a legacy. Allegri – a huge success at Juve yet famed for the tactical quality of his team or the quality of the players he had? Even Wenger was mentioned as a possible replacement. Pochettino would have been interesting – his high energy style excellent at the best times at Spurs. Erik Ten Hag was the Bayern reserve coach under Guardiola and proved he can bring out the best in a team at Ajax, he would have been a progressive choice. Flick had a good pedigree but could he be the one to lead Bayern forward? 

Well, after 25 games, it’s 22 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses, 80 goals scored, 16 conceded. He has taken them 7 points clear and another title seems a certainty. His performance has been so good they have made him permanent manager and given him a contract till 2023. Talk about seizing your chance! And the great thing is, it’s not just results, this Bayern team is entertaining and dominating again. Flick has brought out the best in the team. A team playing the kind of football which Bayern had been seeking to achieve during it’s evolution this past decade. 

After a few stagnant years, in terms of football, tactics and success at the top level of world football, Hans-Dieter Flick has brought back a feeling of energy and wonder to Bayern Munich. Finally Bayern are back to their best.

The Flick Revolution

This past weekend Bayern hosted Fortuna Dusseldorf, a team languishing close to relegation. It wasn’t really going to be a challenge for them. However the manner of the performance was a sign that this Bayern team was progressing into something special. Hans-Dieter Flick has transformed the team. 

While the game against Dortmund was understandably more cautious, a game which they won 1-0 (a delightful chip from Kimmich – yet think Burki could have done better) Bayern look a dominant force, with rejuvinated players like Neuer, Boateng and Muller as well as the very, very impressive performances of Robert Lewandowski, the old boys are showing their class and quality. 

In the Dortmund game felt like men vs boys, Dortmund seemed intimidated and scared while Bayern were in control and forceful. Hopefully this young Dortmund side can progress and mature like Klopp’s young side did a decade ago! There’s so much talent in there, it just needs time to develop into a world class side. As for Bayern, they look there now. Perhaps the post-Guardiola era was about transition, of getting the team ready for now, or maybe it was just because of the coaching. Yet they have a perfect combination now of a great side and an impressive coach. 

A moment to appreciate Lewandowski 

Let me just wax lyrical about Lewandowksi. This is the most complete centre forward in world football right now. He has 28 goals in the Bundesliga, 43 goals in total. Incredible numbers! And yet it’s just his goals, his overall play is sublime! An education on how to play up front. 

His first touch under pressure is excellent, he secures the ball or combines so well, the softness of his touch, the intelligence and awareness of the ball speed and movement of teammates, just beautiful. And so important for Bayern’s attack to work. He drifts deeper to allow Muller or Gnabry, or even Kimmich who ran beyond him in the game vs Dusseldorf to run forward and break lines. Movement of a 9 like this is so difficult to track and mark, especially with so many weapons around him to make runs and exploit space he creates. 

He also has this great awareness of throwing in dummy’s and stepovers which sounds obvious and easy but he shows an intelligence to judge ball speed, defensive positioning and teammates runs. Add all this to his clinical finishing as well as heading and you have an all forward capable of being part of a fluid attacking team. And he can press with intensity too. 

Final point on Lewadowksi and perhaps a lesson to players and coaches who are always looking for their next move. Raphael Honigstein made the point last week that Lewandowski has accepted and embraced Bayern as his home. While there was perhaps a desire to have one more move, perhaps to Madrid, he has now accepted that Bayern is where his future lies. And with this sense of calm and focus, he allows himself to be truly at his best. 

Sometimes people can be so fixated on where they are going, that they don’t fully embrace the present, or hold back something. Yet by being totally committed to the present, you not only perform with more energy, you are more relaxed, focused and happy. Bayern is his home now and he is showing his greatness even more with this realisation. I thought that was a relevant piece of explaining his impressive season. 

A team of universal players

This team is proving to be one filled with truly universal footballers. Allowing the fluid system which Flick appears to be pushing and developing. 

Let’s start with the best universal player in world football, yes even better than James Milner! David Alaba is a revelation. In the article from 2017 I wrote “Bayern’s best full back, and arguably the worlds best full back. Yet we have seen a player in David Alaba utilised as a complete universal player, capable of playing anywhere on the pitch and moving between positions within games when required.“ 

Alaba – like many top level ‘left backs’ did not begin as a left back. Not suprising! It’s a positon which the best players don’t develop within. Read my thoughts on this topic here. He started as a playmaker at Austria Wien and being Austria’s best player has continued in that role for his national team. When on loan at Hoffenheim he played as a defensive midfielder and then excelled at left back for Bayern. A variety of experiences, different technical needs and tactical variety. All key for the development of the player we see. Alaba’s quality was evident early on, he became Bayern's youngest debutant in a competitive match at 17 years 232 days. Since returning from his loan at Hoffenheim he has being a central figure of Bayern’s success. He epitomises what the Bayern vision is about; technical excellence, positional flexibility and variability and a drive and determination to be a winner. 

This season he has being playing at left centre back and has been excellent there. In the game against Fortuna he began at LCB and in the second half moved to RCB. He is a player who can play in defence, midfield and as a forward. I remember watching him playing in a back three for Guardiola and making forward runs into forward positions. 

Watching him now and you see a leader on the pitch, he is controlling matches, making key passes and still continuing to make forward runs with and without the ball. He is the modern CB in all its essence; assured, a footballer, positive and progressive, intelligent and an excellent defender. His versatility is a superb attribute, this is what a modern player looks and plays like. There is my homage to David Alaba. A player who my own philosophy and beliefs have been built around these past several years.

And the list goes on;

Benjamin Pavard has been excellent since joining Bayern. It seemed he just emerged from nowhere when he won the World Cup for France in 2018 playing as a RB, more like a wing back. And we all remember that sublime finish which in slow motion is just majestic! At Stuggart he showed his quality. He was one of only four players to feature in every single second of the 2017–18 Bundesliga season. And where did he play? Well obviously he played in several positions; right back, centre back, defensive midfielder and right wing. He is flexible, like many of this Bayern team. Since moving to Bayern he has got even better, and at just 24 he is going to be a truly excellent player. 

And what about the revelation of the season? Alphonso Davies. The 19 year old Canadian has been in great form throughout impressing everyone with his speed and quality. I mean his speed is frightening. We are talking the top level where everyone is fast, and yet this guy looks to be quicker than anything we’ve seen before?! And he doesn’t even look like he’s trying! He ripped Chelsea apart in their recent Champions League game. 

He is excelling at left back, in the same way a young Alaba did. Yet of course he wasn’t signed as a left back, he was a forward through his youth career. Bayern saw a real talent and paid around 20 million for him from Vancouver. He has fitted in superbly. He makes some great runs and shows a good knack to make underlaps as well as more conventional overlaps. He has got some goals in recent weeks by getting high up the pitch and showing a knack for regaining possession high up and counter attacking. His defensive skills based around his speed and recovery runs are fantastic too. Davies looks to be able to play on either wing, in defence or up front. Another young talented player added to the versatile squad. 

Thiago is a sublime footballer and can control games effortlessly. Yet the player I’ve been really impressed by is Leon Goretzka. A player who I liked a lot at Schalke, and perhaps has suffered with the inconsistency of issues at Bayern in recent years, but it seems now that he has gone to a new level, physically stronger and free to roam around midfield. He is a modern box to box midfielder, not a specialist of the 2000’s, a this or that, but a complete midfield player of the 2010’s. This means he gets about the pitch and supports the attacks, while helping build possession and being key to press or drop in deeper in midfield. His skill set allows him to do all this effectively. And he looks to be a perfect addition to a midfield which has missed a Schweinstieger and Kroos in recent years. 

I’ve already touched on the forwards but they all show an ability and willingness to interchange, rotate and be fluid, allowing less rigidity and opportunities to overload defences, confuse marking systems and exploiting space.  We’ve already spoke of how great Lewandowski is and how his movement allows for others to exploit space. Thomas Muller has always proven to be an intelligent with his positioning and movement and with this system and his own determination reenergised he is showing to be a key part of the attack again. 

Kingsley Coman provides good speed and skill on the right yet I must say that Serge Knabry is showing to be one of the finest wide forwards in the game today. I know they wanted Sane but Gnabry shows Sane isn't that essential. His movement, speed and skill can be frightening. Amazing that Tony Pulis didn’t him good enough to play for WBA, but there’s a lesson in resricitng young players by believing they don’t do what you want them to do, instead of embracing their strengths and talent. 

Kimmich. Bayern’s controller.

And yes, I’ve saved the best till last. I can’t deny it, I love watching Joshua Kimmich. Signed by Pep Guardiola in 2015 for a bargain €8.5m from RB Leipzig, a player who is proving to be absolute steal. Kimmich is perhaps the best midfielder in world football after De Bruyne. Yes I believe he is that good! 

This is a player who appears to be all over the pitch – building possession when dropping in as third centre back, linking play in midfield, then driving forwards and assisting goals in the box or chipping the keeper to score. He comes out wide and crosses the ball. Or pulls deep into either full back position. I mean is there a more complete midfielder around? One who does actually move into multiple positions within the same build up phase? And one who has such control and authority on the pitch as he does? Bayern’s build up is being orchestrated by this guy, and it’s brilliant! 

He shows such confidence in his play, such composure and intelligence, it’s a joy to watch. He is also tenacious and aggressive in his defending. He can do it all! And that is why I love this guy so much. He, like Alaba are a joy to watch as they can do so much. They are opening the options as to what a coach can create on the pitch. More rotations and variety  positional interchange, using different formations. 

In the second half against Fortuna Kimmich dropped in to RCB with Alaba at LCB. It was a dream! Two universal footballers, not regarded as CB’s, excelling and conducting the game from their deep roles. 

Embrace your players strengths 

Flick has shown that he gets it. He understands what makes Bayern successful. He knows he has quality and has embraced. Has brought out the best in all his players. Has shown tactical flexibility and a willingness and trust to move players around. This Bayern team are a joy to watch. We may be seeing this club embarking on becoming the best in the world again. And along with that the German national team should not be written off. With players like Kimmich running the game, the road to success seems more than possible. 

My final note is for coaches of young players. Please embrace more tactical flexibility and provide players more freedom in terms of positioning and rotations. This will develop smarter and more intelligent players, as well as produce players with a much greater skillset. Please don’t restrict or turn your players into functional types, aim for better and higher. Seek to produce creative, intelligent, universal players. 

The Whitehouse Address @TheWAddress