The German football industry is currently experiencing a systemic crisis, both in terms of sports and finances. The departure of Robert Lewandowski and Erling Haaland from the Bundesliga brought to light what was already a brewing crisis. The lack of suitable replacements to cover individual scoring quotas, like those of Lewandowski and Haaland, has become apparent. While the overall goal score in the Bundesliga has remained consistent over the past four seasons, individual scoring figures have decreased significantly. This is problematic, as iconic figures like Lewandowski and Haaland are crucial to bringing value to a football league.
Furthermore, the recent dismissal of Julian Nagelsmann by Bayern Munich managers, Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic, has significantly impacted the image of the Bundesliga. For years, the league was known for being dominated by Bayern Munich. However, with this crisis, the identity of the club, and by extension German football, has been in question.
In addition to this, the recent plan to inject fresh capital into clubs and institutions, through the mortgage of broadcasting rights for a term of 20 years, was met with division among German football league officials. The plan failed to gain a necessary majority of votes among the 36 first and second division clubs, further widening the cracks within the industry.
This crisis within the German football industry extends beyond the pitch to the national team, which has not risen since 2018 and could potentially face disappointment at Euro 2024. The situation is uncertain, with plenty of division between the clubs and a lack of proposals. The crisis within German football is a clear and deep problem that could become chronic if not addressed appropriately.
