Sauer calls for DFB rethink as Bayern launches the Talent Series

DFB youth development boss Jochen Sauer, who has been heading the youth department of FC Bayern since 2017, speaks in the second part of an extensive interview about the creation of the “Bundesliga Talent Series” together with national team coach Jürgen Klopp and warns about the emigration of young talents. He emphasizes that the initiative was realized within ten months.

Development of the Talent Series

After intensive discussions, the concept was finalized. In the interview, Sauer explains that the idea of an additional competition series arose from the observation that too little playing time is available in the transition period between youth and professionals. Together with Jürgen Klopp, who had already gathered positive experiences with a U21‑league in Liverpool, the concept of the “Talent Series” was developed. The competition is intended to involve players aged 16 to 21 and is not limited to a single age group.

Implementation and Schedule

Since this summer, the youth teams of the participating clubs have been playing in two separate half‑series in autumn and spring, with three to six matches each. FC Bayern plans to enter the series at the beginning of 2027. It emphasizes that the rapid implementation could serve as a model for other leagues. Sauer stresses that the realization within ten months is a remarkable success and expresses high satisfaction with the result.

Sauer describes the transition from U15/U16 to higher age groups as the greatest potential for improvement in the German youth system. In the age groups U17, U19 and U23, he notes that players receive too few minutes and insufficient high‑level experience. He sees playing time as a decisive factor for the further development of young talents. Sauer emphasizes that without adequate match practice, the development of young players could stagnate.

Sauer takes a look at the role of the associations in the development process. The expert group, which besides Sauer and Jürgen Klopp also included Sami Khedira, DFL board member Marc Lenz, DFB managing director Andreas Rettig, Markus Krösche, Andreas Bornemann and Joti Chatzialexiou, had considered various perspectives. Mr. Sauer praises the cooperation and describes it as “super”, because it brought together different viewpoints. With input from 58 youth performance centers and the experiences of other major leagues, the concept is well founded.

Talent Emigration and National Competition

A central problem is the emigration of players born in Germany who are not selected by Jürgen Klopp for the national team. Sauer cites examples: Kenan Yildiz and Can Uzun, who play for Turkey, Josip Stanisic for Croatia, Paul Wanner for Austria and Malik Tillman for the USA. In addition, Erblin Osmani is already active in the senior national team of Kosovo. Sauer warns that various national associations are increasingly sending invitations to players who grew up in Germany.

In conclusion, Sauer calls on the DFB to take concrete measures in the transition period between youth and professionals to increase playing time and stop the emigration. He hopes that the “Talent Series” will contribute in the long term to retaining Germany’s youth talents and securing the competitiveness of the national team. He sees the reform as the key to the future of German football.