Marco Neppe Interview: Former Bayern Munich Technical Director of Harry Kane, Jamal Musial and Ryan Gravenberch

Harry Kane has his first Bundesliga title at the second moment of searching and while his contribution to Bayern from Munich can be measured in goals – 36 and counting this season – those who helped him sign to believe he brought more in the composition.

Bayern former technical director Marco Ueppe played a significant role in bringing the captain of England to Bavaria and still welcomes Kane, for more than £ 100m in the summer of 2023, as one of the most striking acquisitions during his decade at the club.

“You can’t change the market, you have to accept it and find the best way to do for your club. Yes, you have to make sure you increase the value of your detachment, but it is about making these short -term and medium -term calculations,” says Nepope Sky Sports.

“You may have players at the beginning of their trip. You may have a player you know in two years will earn this place on the team. A big signature can wear things on your shoulders, and some of these young talents allow to grow in the shadow.

“With Harry, he made the players feel like they could score a goal, even if we were under pressure. They see Harry in the locker room and know that this is a player who can change the match in a second. He doesn’t need five meters. He just achieves a second.”

Explained the technical director

Ueppe left Bayern earlier this season after a decade at the club, a former football player who was passing from scouting role to that technical director. “In 80 or 90 percent of other clubs, the role would be called a sports director,” he claims.

But what is the technical director in his opinion? “I came from the recruitment side, but there is not only one way. I suppose it is a bit like playing between the lines, because you have to be really close and the locker room and understand that energy,” he explains.

“Don’t underestimate it. We’re talking about 50 to 80 people in the first team in these big clubs. Ultimately, these are players, who we expect to perform, but we have to protect that environment around them. This is how I understand the role.”

Upope, still only 38 years old, understands this role better than most, because he was part of an extremely successful era for Bayern. The detachment that won six trophies in 2019/20, including the Champions League, was built at a relatively modest Super Club cost.

For Upope, the recurring topic of our conversation is a message that it is a mere employment, an act of identification of the most talented players. The role is in the management of departments, treating a toy staff as a living organism, a constant balance.

“We all played these game managers on the computer when we were teenagers. It was easy. You just click here and click there. But that’s not just the case:” We need the right back, here are the best five right backs. “It’s a culture.

“Are there any options for upgrading? Are there any profiles you miss? And then it’s about making decisions, time and imagination to see what every player will add to your team, which will mean for energy, style. And that is super complex.

“For example, you need to feel the locker room. Isn’t there enough pressure? Is there too much pressure? It could happen that you miss a light guy, a Brazilian guy who is relaxed before that big match, someone who can help guys just breathe.”

An unforgettable meeting of Musiala

Kane, an experienced player signed for a Bundesliga transfer record fee is really an exception. Much of Uepope was the focus on bringing some of the best young talent from all over Europe, guessing Bayern -aged current success. But not every job comes.

He persecuted Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and tried to convince Jude Bellingham to sign when he was still in Birmingham. Jamal Musiala joined Chelsea while he was still a teenager, although he admits to Neppe that he feels like he is the one he is talking to.

“With Jamalo, it was a conversation that was different from everyone else, especially given his age. I can’t remember the conversation in my life. You expect different answers when a 18-year-old person meet a 30-year-old person or anything else.

“He surprised me how clear he was with his goals and ambitions. He was sure of the next step, what he needed to improve, in which the World Cup he wanted to play, and I was like, wow, this personality I didn’t expect. Everything was so clear with him.

“He was just so prepared. This is a conversation with the technical director of Bayern from Munich, so these are my questions, these are my answers. He came from his heart, but he was so focused. On the plane back to Munich, I was like, wow, you will remember that.”

Sweating via kimmich tips

Nepope’s first signature he claimed to be Bayern should make maybe the best. Joshua Kimmich played at the second level of the Bundesliga, but noticed something in the current captain who won the Munich title nine times.

“My shirt was sweating that day when the guys asked me, ‘You really think Bayern Munich must sign Kimmich? “We started changing the strategy, signing younger players.

It paid off. “We really believed in him. It’s a signature that I will always remember.” But there were many. “I’ll remember Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, Harry Kane. Not always big. Mathys Tel was a really interesting signature. And Noussair Mazouii.”

Never doubted Graveberch

Some signatures become legends, others need to move on to find their way. Considering that, few would consider Ryan Gravenberch one of Bayern’s best purchases after he remained only one season, but Neppe was not surprised by his subsequent success in Liverpool.

“I’m super happy about Ryan. He’s a special midfielder. When we signed him from Ajax, we were 100 percent convinced. And, honestly, we never doubted his qualities. We knew he would bring him one day. We saw exactly in Liverpool.

“But sometimes it’s about the need and patience. Even in his first season in Liverpool, it was not easy. It’s a momentum. So many stories in football where big careers start because of another player’s injury and they take advantage of their opportunity.

“Look at Alphonso Davies, the beginning of his career in Bayern was due to the fact that David Alaba and Lucas Hernandez were injured on the same moment. He had his chance. But that is not luck. In the long run, these players will always show their level.

“We’re talking about players, but I prefer to talk about human beings, what do they think, what are their triggers, their goals? How much are they invested in their own success, in the team? How resistant are they can overcome difficult moments in football?”

Upope can still celebrate Bayern’s success, but the point is that football always talks about the next signature, the next match. “You don’t have time to look at in football. Maybe when I’m 65 with my grandchildren.” It is a job for the next job.