Oliver Kahn

Kahn advised Jamal Musiala to miss the 2026 World Cup if he did not feel fully recovered, provoking a strong reaction in German football. Julian Nagelsmann and Lothar Matthäus publicly questioned the usefulness or implications of his remarks.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Kahn and Bayern's management dismissed Julian Nagelsmann and appointed Thomas Tuchel while the team was still competing in several competitions. The timing and method sparked strong controversy over sporting governance.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

Bayern's supervisory board removed Kahn as CEO immediately after the final Bundesliga matchday. The departure, despite the title won at the last moment, was marked by conflicting accounts of his behaviour and absence from the celebrations.

Attribution

Direct responsibility

As Lewandowski declared that his time at Bayern was over and wanted to join Barcelona, Kahn publicly pointed to his contract and said that 'appreciation' could not be one-sided. The stand-off fuelled a communication crisis between the star and club management.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

During Kahn's executive leadership, Bayern's 2021 general meeting descended into confrontation with members who wanted to debate ending the Qatar Airways partnership on human rights grounds. Club executives were booed and accused of preventing genuine democratic debate.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Direct responsibility

UEFA suspended Kahn for one match and fined him 12 339 euros for improper conduct during a doping control after a match against Real Madrid.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Bayern suspended Kahn for one match and fined him 25 000 euros on disciplinary grounds. The press linked the incident to his criticism of certain teammates and his early departure from a club party.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Kahn struck or forcefully made contact with Miroslav Klose's face during a match, in another episode of criticised on-field behaviour. Debate also concerned the inability to impose a subsequent sanction when the referee had already seen the incident.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Kahn's separation from his wife while she was pregnant and the disclosure of his relationship with Verena Kerth prompted intense media coverage and controversy over the German captain's family image.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

Attribution

Personally implicated

After a match against Hanover, Kahn grabbed Thomas Brdaric by the throat and shook him. The incident caused considerable controversy; a spectator's complaint and a preliminary review by Cologne prosecutors were reported.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

During a highly charged Bayern–Dortmund match, Kahn simulated biting Heiko Herrlich's neck and also lunged feet-first towards Stéphane Chapuisat. The images became emblematic of his aggressive temperament on the pitch.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated