FC Bayern Munich Appoints Thorsten Leibenath as New Managing Director of Sport

FC Bayern Munich is restructuring its basketball operations with a high-profile leadership change designed to sustain the club’s dominance in German basketball. The club has announced that Thorsten Leibenath will take over as the new Managing Director of Sport ahead of the 2026-27 season, bringing a proven track record of championship-caliber building from the Bundesliga.

The move signals a significant shift in the front office as the German champions prepare for the next phase of their sporting project. Leibenath, 51, arrives in Munich following a highly successful tenure at Ratiopharm Ulm, where he transitioned from a championship-winning coach to a strategic executive.

The Transition: Dragan Tarlac Steps Down

The appointment comes as Dragan Tarlac departs the club at the end of the current season. Tarlac, 53, informed the organization that he is stepping down for personal reasons after two years in the role. A former NBA player and EuroLeague champion, Tarlac joined Bayern in the summer of 2024 as sporting director, leveraging his experience with the Serbian national team to bolster the club’s roster.

Since July 2025, Tarlac had shared the Managing Director of Sport responsibilities with commercial director Adrian Sarmiento. During his tenure, Tarlac played a pivotal role in helping the club successfully defend its league title last season, ensuring that the transition to Leibenath happens while the team is at a competitive peak.

The Ulm Blueprint: Who is Thorsten Leibenath?

Thorsten Leibenath is not a stranger to the pressures of the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL). He spent over a decade as the architect of Ratiopharm Ulm’s ascent, first as a coach and then as an executive. From 2011 to 2019, Leibenath served as Ulm’s head coach, earning BBL Coach of the Year honors in both 2012 and 2017.

For the past seven years, Leibenath moved into the front office as sporting director. His ability to identify talent and build a sustainable winning culture was evident last season, when he led Ulm to the BBL finals. His transition from the sidelines to the boardroom has made him one of the most respected sporting executives in Europe.

In Ulm hat Thorsten Leibenath einen der erfolgreichsten deutschen Basketballklubs mitaufgebaut. Jetzt wechselt er nach München. Dort gibt es zur neuen Saison nun noch einen zweiten wichtigen Posten zu besetzen.

Strategic Implications for the 2026-27 Season

Bayern Munich is not just replacing a person; they are refining their sporting operations. The appointment of Leibenath, a native of Leverkusen with deep roots in the German game, suggests a desire to blend international ambition with a sophisticated understanding of the domestic landscape.

The club is also navigating a broader restructuring. Alongside this front-office change, Bayern has already announced a coaching change, indicating a comprehensive “refresh” of the sporting side of the organization. By bringing in Leibenath, the club gains a leader who understands the synergy between coaching and management—a critical asset for a team competing simultaneously in the BBL and the EuroLeague.

For global followers of the sport, this move is a clear indicator of Bayern’s intent. While many clubs struggle with the transition between sporting directors, hiring a proven winner from a direct rival like Ulm minimizes risk and provides an immediate blueprint for success.

Key Takeaways: The Leibenath Era at Bayern

• Role: Managing Director of Sport, effective for the 2026-27 campaign.
• Predecessor: Dragan Tarlac, departing for personal reasons.
• Proven Pedigree: Former BBL Coach of the Year (2012, 2017) and long-term sporting director at Ratiopharm Ulm.
• Immediate Goal: Oversee the restructuring of sporting operations and maintain the club’s status as German champions.
• Organizational Shift: Part of a wider overhaul that includes a new head coach.

As Bayern Munich prepares for the upcoming season, the focus now shifts to how Leibenath will shape the roster and integrate with the new coaching staff. The club’s ability to remain the gold standard in Germany will depend heavily on the synergy between the commercial direction led by Adrian Sarmiento and the sporting vision Leibenath is set to implement.

The next official checkpoint for the club will be the unveiling of their full sporting roadmap for the 2026-27 season, expected in the coming months as the summer transfer window opens.

Do you think Thorsten Leibenath is the right fit to keep Bayern at the top of the BBL? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.