Udo Lattek has claimed that the matchday presence of new Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer should be closely monitored.
The former sweeper replaced Christian Nerlinger earlier in the summer, having relinquished his role as technical director of the German Football Association (DFB) to work alongside head coach Jupp Heynckes in addressing first-team affairs.
However, his role during fixtures has come under scruntiny, despite the side’s winning start to the new season, with Oliver Kahn raising doubts over Sammer’s job description, and the legendary boss believes his relationship with Heynckes could prove volatile.
“There should not be any fidgeting in the dugout,” Lattek told Bild. “I like Matthias Sammer very much, but I do not know if that’s really important.
“In any case, the coach has to be recognised by the entire team. If he does not, then it will be difficult, so you have to be very careful.
“I don’t know what agreement the two share with each other, but it is very, very critical [to the club’s chances of success].”
Lattek and Sammer temporarily worked together at Borussia Dortmund in 2000, following Bernd Krauss’ unsuccessful reign at the Signal Iduna Park, and he reflected on their working relationship.
“For us, it was very simple. I was the boss and he was the one who listened,” he added.
“I’ve always said that this co-existence between Jupp Heynckes and Matthias Sammer is very hairy. Sammer is a very independent person, and Heynckes is too.
“If these two fall into problems, of whatever kind, then it will not be easy to control.”