Bayern Munich won an 11th consecutive Bundesliga title as they beat Cologne to overtake Borussia Dortmund on a thrilling final day.
Jamal Musiala’s 89th-minute goal, three minutes after coming on as substitute, secured Bayern Munich’s 11th successive Bundesliga title with Borussia Dortmund drawing at home with Mainz.
Dortmund went into the day in pole position, but soon this transferred to Bayern after Kingsley Coman’s superb curling eighth-minute effort and the leaders falling behind early.
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It seemed like Bayern had doubled their lead on the stroke of halftime but Leroy Sane’s fine goal was disallowed by VAR for a handball which occurred Linton Maina kicked the ball into his arm before the winger exchanged passes with Serge Gnabry and raced through to slot home off the post.
The title race was turned on its head nine minutes from time when VAR ruled Serge Gnabry’s handball was inside the area and Dejan Ljubicic sent Yan Sommer the wrong way from the penalty spot.
For eight minutes the title was Dortmund’s until Musiala, brought on in a desperate move four minutes from time, with almost his first touch created room outside the penalty area before driving an unstoppable shot inside the far post.
After the final day’s results, Bayern Munich ended the season level on points with Dortmund but possessing a 15-goal superior goal difference.
Bayern Munich’s Tuchel wins first Bundesliga title
With this dramatic victory, Tuchel lands the first Bundesliga trophy of his career and gives the surprising decision to axe Nagelsmann with two months left of the season some merit.
They were in the hunt for a treble at the time and Tuchel took Bayern Munich out of the German Cup and the Champions League after he arrived. They would have finished without a trophy for the first time since 2011-12 had Dortmund beaten Mainz.
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He is the seventh different manager to win the title with Bayern in the last eight years after Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, Jupp Heynckes, Niko Kovac, Hansi Flick – who won it twice – and Nagelsmann.
Forward Muller and injured goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who missed the second half of the season after breaking his leg on a skiing holiday, lifted the trophy together – one they have now claimed 11 times together.
“It is an unbelievable moment – crazy, electric. I hoped it would happen but did not think it would,” said Muller.
“We conceded an equaliser just as we have done the entire season and then Musiala drills in the winner.
“People interested in football have the feeling that we do not deserve this and I understand that because of the second half of the season being so chaotic for us.”
Musiala could be on his way to the kind of title numbers Muller has racked up too, having played in four championship campaigns already at the age of 20.
He also scored in the game that sealed Bayern Munich the title last season – a 3-1 win over Dortmund.
Man of the match- Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich)
He was a magnificent presence in the first hour of the match, with his great goal giving Bayern what looked like their crucial lead and contributing to moments that could have seen them go further ahead. It has been said before, but if he can be granted a full season at full fitness, he could lift his game on par with some of the best in the game.
Bayern Munich sack Kahn and Salihamidzic
Bayern Munich completed their 11th consecutive Bundesliga-winning campaign on Saturday afternoon, pipping Borussia Dortmund to the title with an 89th minute winner from youngstar Jamal Musiala.
Within an hour of that magnificent goal, the club moved to sack two long-term executives in Oliver Kahn and Hasan Salihamidzic.
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Speaking to Sky Germany in the aftermath, Kahn did not mince his words: “That was the worst day on my life, not being able to party with the boys.”
Kahn had explained in a tweet shortly after full-time, that Bayern had blocked his participation in post-match celebration. He said: “I would like to celebrate with you, but unfortunately I can’t be with you today because the club has forbidden me.”
Kahn joined Bayern Munich as a player in 1994, remaining for 14 seasons and making over 600 appearances during an iconic career. He joined Bayern’s board in 2019 and became CEO in 2021 as a replacement for the outgoing Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
The legendary former Germany goalkeeper’s absence from the stands on Saturday was noted immediately, but the club told reporters that he was suffering from ‘flu and could not attend the match.
His time as CEO has seen the club continue to dominate German football, winning the league in each of his three seasons in the role, but they have continued to struggle in Europe.
Jan-Christian Dreesen, previously the club’s chief finance officer since 2013, has been appointed as Kahn’s successor.
Bayern Munich confirmed the rumours that the duo had been dismissed in a rather bloodless statement.
It read: “Oliver Kahn is no longer CEO of FC Bayern München AG. Hasan Salihamidzic will also be replaced as board member for sport. This was decided by the club’s supervisory board. Kahn will be replaced by the current vice-chairman of the board Jan-Christian Dreesen. Salihamidzic’s successor is still to be decided.”
It has also been reported by local media in Munich that Uli Hoeness and Rummenigge have moved back into significant roles following this shake-up.
Salihamidzic was the club’s sporting director for seven seasons, beginning in 2017, having enjoyed a similarly totemic position as a legendary player.
The removal of Kahn and Salihamidzic follows on from the sacking of then-manager Julian Nagelsmann in March. At that point in the season, Bayern Munich were in the running to win a treble, but successor Thomas Tuchel was swiftly bundled out of both the German Cup and Champions League, leaving only the Bundesliga.
It required a remarkable failure on the part of Bayern Munich’s rivals Dortmund and a late winner against Koln for Tuchel to win even that sole title.
