Harry Kane ’s contract extension with FC Bayern continues to spark debate. While the Munich club is celebrating the reigning Ballon d’Or winner’s long-term commitment as a major success, Sky expert Dietmar Hamann recently expressed significant doubts about the multi-million deal. Now, sporting director Max Eberl has struck back.

Hamann had described the 33-year-old Englishman’s contract extension through 2029 as a “significant risk.” The former Bayern pro is particularly concerned about the striker’s advanced age and his hefty salary. According to reports, Kane will earn more than 30 million euros gross per year, including bonus payments.

Eberl cannot understand this criticism at all. Following Bayern’s 2-1 away win against Mainz 05, the 53-year-old responded to the Sky expert’s comments in no uncertain terms. He left no doubt as to what he thinks of Hamann’s assessment.

“Unfortunately, Didi is often like that.”

“I know the Bayern fans were all very happy—I think German fans were too. And unfortunately, that’s just how it is: In Germany, there’s always someone who has to spoil the party. And Didi is, regrettably, often one of them,” Eberl explained.

With this statement, the sporting director made it clear just how much the public criticism of the contract extension bothers him.

For Eberl, it’s actually a positive sign that one of the world’s best soccer players is staying in the Bundesliga for the long term.

“I think that if we have the World Player of the Year in the Bundesliga and he’s in excellent form, at the peak of his career, then that’s a great sign for the Bundesliga,” emphasized the Bayern boss.

Hamann had previously argued that, following Kane’s Ballon d’Or triumph, the Munich club had practically no choice but to extend his contract. “Bayern had almost no choice but to extend his contract. He wanted to stay, and now he’s won the Ballon d’Or. It would have sent a message if he’d won this award and they’d let him go anyway,” explained the 53-year-old.

Bayern executives stand united behind Kane

Hamann is particularly critical of the long-term financial commitment. “It remains to be seen whether he’ll continue to score as many goals over the next three years. It’s a certain risk,” warned the former national team player.

At Bayern, however, they see the situation quite differently.

CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen had already acknowledged after the contract extension that the record champions had stretched their finances to keep Kane long-term.

At the same time, Dreesen emphasized the club leadership’s great confidence in the England national team captain.

From a sporting perspective, too, there are currently few arguments against continuing the partnership. Kane remains one of Munich’s most important players and impresses not only as a goal-scorer but increasingly as a playmaker as well.

In the recent 2-1 victory in Mainz, the Englishman set up both of Bayern’s goals and even set a new record with eight assists after nine Bundesliga matchdays.

Although Kane has yet to score a goal of his own since winning the Ballon d’Or, his importance to the record champions’ offensive play remains undisputed.

For Eberl, it is therefore clear that the contract extension is an important step for Bayern’s sporting future.

With his strong response to Hamann, the sporting director also made it clear that he considers the ongoing discussions about Kane’s new contract to be completely overblown.

This article was translated into English by AI. You can read the original version here https://fcbinside.de/2026/11/08/nach-kritik-an-kane-bayern-boss-schiesst-gegen-hamann-zurueck/.