Seven days ahead of the last-16 duel against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Bayern Munich remains in a state of deep unrest.
The delicate statements of keeper Manuel Neuer create a decisive rift in the Bavarian side and in the club's surroundings.
The 2014 world champion accused the club's leaders of "brutal" actions when firing his favorite goalkeeper coach Toni Tapalovic.
Everything between the noisy departure of the currently injured 36-year-old German international and the dismissal of coach Julian Nagelsmann seems possible.
The outcome of the showdown against the French giant seems to play a vital role when it comes to predictions.
Not only that former Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel is mentioned as a possible Nagelsmann successor. Further involved parties such as chairman Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic seem exposed to great pressure.
An opinion battle of pundits and former Bayern players endangers the team's efforts to concentrate on sportive issues.
THE COACH
Nagelsmann is mentioned as the initial point for the Tapalovic sacking while Neuer is sidelined due to a skiing injury.
Inside reports speak of a damaged relationship between the coach and the captain. The Bayern manager is said to need success against Paris to secure his future at the club.
While Nagelsmann called Neuer's statements far from helpful considering the team is ahead of important games, the Bayern coach triggered indignation among rival Paris assuming the news of the injury loss of star striker Kylian Mbappe is a bluff.
The coach is said to have lost support in the locker room while he claims it's on Neuer to put things back to normal. "My doors are open," he said.
SALIHAMIDZIC/KAHN
The leaders face the allegation to disturb the team's internal harmony and not consider players' demands.
Both claim Neuer is putting personal issues above the club's purposes. "We expected other reactions from him," Salihamidzic said while Kahn announced "straight talking" with Neuer shortly.
Both are under fire after Nagelsmann failed to lead the team to calm waters despite the club having paid 25 million euros to secure his signing from Leipzig 18 months ago.
NEUER
The goalkeeper's statements are considered a direct attack on Nagelsmann as the Bayern coach is said to have neglected the relationship with his team captain.
Reports speak of the coach consulting midfielder Joshua Kimmich instead of Neuer when discussing team issues.
TEAM DIVIDED
Several squad members expressed understanding for Neuer and revealed the team's inner struggle.
Nagelsmann and the club leaders' harsh comments on the free day trip of striker Serge Gnabry to a fashion fair in Paris between two league games have been taken by surprise by most players.
