Loan Watch – the new documentary series on FC Bayern TV PLUS | OneFootball

The likes of David Alaba, Toni Kroos and Philipp Lahm all took the key decision to try a loan move away from Bayern before finally establishing themselves at the record champions. There are a number of young players on the Bayern books who are currently away on loan, working on their development at other clubs. Find out more about the challenges these young players need to overcome and how this step away can help with the step up to professional level with Bayern in our new FC Bayern TV PLUS series ‘Loan Watch’.

Over a six-part series throughout the season we’ll be bringing you exclusive interviews, exciting stories and behind-the-scenes insight into the lives of Bayern players away on loan. Sign up now for an FC Bayern TV PLUS subscription to make sure you can follow our youngsters’ progress. Episode 1 is out now for you to watch!

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Watch episode 1 of Loan Watch below:

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What is being a Bayern loanee about?

The path from youth player to professional football is rarely straightforward. As a club, Bayern is aware of the chances and the challenges in developing its youngsters. “The public often have this romantic perception that a player just comes through from the U19s and goes on to make over 700 appearances like Thomas Müller and end his career at Bayern. The reality is that a path like that really only comes into consideration with one in a hundred players,” explained Jochen Sauer, the director of the FC Bayern Campus and youth development. “You need to decide on an individual basis with every player what the best next step is. There are different paths,” added sporting director Christoph Freund.

Loans an important step in development

One of those options is a loan move to another club to gain match practice at a high level. “The loan deals we regularly do are purely for sporting reasons. Every player has different qualities. But if we manage to develop a player through the Campus, the reserves or a loan into a Bundesliga or Bundesliga 2 player, then we as a club have achieved something, which is to lead another talented young player into German football,” said board member for sport Max Eberl of the thinking behind individual development plans. Richard Kitzbichler, Bayern’s transition coordinator between the senior and youth players, added: “The goal is that they end up playing a part with our first team once they return from their loan away.”

Loan Watch: Episode 1

Matteo Perez Vinlöf (Austria Vienna) and Lovro Zvonarek (Sturm Graz) are two Bayern players currently on loan in Austria’s Bundesliga. In episode 1 of the FC Bayern TV PLUS series ‘Loan Watch’, we follow the pair as they prepare to face off in the league. They talk about their goals, challenges and also the experience they’ve gained so far in Austria. Recent returnee Arijon Ibrahimović also discusses his time on loan at Frosinone in Italy last season.

According to Freund: “It’s important that loan players feel that they are a part of Bayern. These boys are often the greatest talents where they’re just lacking that final little step to make it at the top and get playing time.”

Find out more about the new series:

Loan Watch documentary series on FC Bayern TV PLUS