Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has highlighted Bayern Munich and German sides as an inspiration for how a football club should be run. The Bavarian club have dominated their domestic league while also remaining competitive on the European front.
To some, the comments relating to the German outfit may just appear a throwaway line. However, back in 2021 Chronicle Live discussed what Sunderland supporters might anticipate from the young owner with France Football's Johan Tabau.
Interestingly, the French correspondent highlighted how Robert Louis-Dreyfus had plans to make Marseille to 'Bayern Munich of France.' It's clear that Kyril has taken on board some of the same philosophy as his father, with a similar impact so far.
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Robert guided Marseille back to the top of French football with Kyril helping guiding Sunderland back to the Championship. The job on Wearside won't be deemed a success until the Black Cats are back in the top flight, where many feel they rightly belong, but there can be no corner cutting in the Frenchman's long-term plan.
The Black Cats have made a steady start to life back in the second-tier and still have plenty of games left to make a push for the play-offs, with the right additions. Expectations have been managed well and supporters are, as things stand, behind the project.
We've already seen a change in recruitment at the Stadium of Light, with younger players the main emphasis of the new model - Wearside being the destination for this Bavaria 2.0. It was interesting to see Sunderland waste no time in striking up a relationship with the German club, bringing in Ron Thorben-Hoffman and Leon Dajaku last season - especially giving the fondness from Louis-Dreyfus.
Of course, that doesn't mean Sunderland have become like for like replica of the Bundesliga outfit overnight. But, when you strip things back, there have been encouraging signs.
Louis-Dreyfus spoke with the Red and White Army supporters group earlier this week, with fanzine A Love Supreme transcribing some of the content from the meeting. “Squad value is higher than it was six months ago," said Louis-Dreyfus.
"Six months ago it was higher than twelve months ago. Hopefully it’s even higher in six months time. Categorically, we only recruit if there is a strong willingness to come to Sunderland and move to the area. We’ve stopped signing players who you have to overpay and convince to come here
“Look at Derby County. They were in the play-off final, 90 mins away from the Premier League and 18 months later they’re in administration.
"That’s a risk none of us are willing to take. Bayern Munich and the German clubs in general are an inspiration in terms of how they’re ran.
"It’s important to remember where the club has been in recent past. There are huge things to do before I consider it to be ready for the Premier League."
Results on the pitch will always be one of the main factors in determining how good and ownership regime has been. There have been bumps along the way, but Sunderland were able to gain promotion back to the Championship in Louis-Dreyfus' first full season in charge.
There remains the caveat of young players not being able to fulfil their potential and the acknowledgement that the club will have to sell some of it's better assets in order to fund the long-term vision. It remains early days at the Stadium of Light, but the Bayern Munich comparisons remain an interesting theme of Louis-Dreyfus' thought process.
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