‘Instead of celebrating, now other problem’

Although Bayern Munich has sensationally become champions of Germany after all, two executives have lost their jobs. Oliver Kahn (general manager) and Hasan Salihamidzic (technical director) are held responsible for the shaky performance.

Manager Thomas Tuchel, noted to have been brought in as an interim replacement for Julian Nagelsmann at the two’s intercession, was already on notice a day before the match. The end of the league no longer had any influence on it.

“Instead of celebrating, we now have another problem,” Tuchel said after the win at FC Köln (1-2), which turned out to be enough for the title after all.

Kahn made himself heard on Twitter afterwards, addressing the supporters. “I would love to celebrate with you, but unfortunately I can’t be with you today because the club has banned me. I am looking forward to next season.”

Four old acquaintances from the premier league did attend. Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Ryan Gravenberch had a starting place, Daley Blind was on the bench. Moroccan international Mazraoui also thanked in celebration his compatriot Aymen Barkok, who held Dortmund to 2-2 with Mainz.

Whereas Bayern won champion with mixed feelings, Dortmund’s drama was of unprecedented order.

“This is going to take a little longer than a few days,” Dortmund captain Mats Hummels (ex-Bayern) told me. “This is hard to digest. The next few days will be relentless.”

“When I see the boys on the pitch and sitting in the dressing room, all I see is dejection. We are up,” said manager Edin Terzic. “You saw again today how hard and tough this sport, which we have all fallen in love with, can be.”

It turned into a personal drama for Sébastien Haller, as the striker missed a penalty at a score of 0-1. Afterwards, the question also arose why he and not regular penalty taker Emre Can had gone behind the ball.

Terzic: “If he had made it or the 2-2 had fallen earlier, we would probably be in a different position now.”