Lars Bender, the former Germany international midfielder, has been named the new head coach of FC Bayern Munich's U17 side. The Bavarian club confirmed the appointment on Friday, marking a significant addition to their youth development structure. Bender replaces Leonard Haas, who moves up to manage Bayern's U19 team.
The 36-year-old spent most of his playing career at Bayer Leverkusen, where he made over 300 Bundesliga appearances across 11 seasons. During his time in the Rhineland, Bender earned 19 caps for the German national team, establishing himself as one of the Bundesliga's most consistent midfielders. His move to Bavaria's top club marks a homecoming of sorts—the Rosenheim native began his professional journey at 1860 Munich, turning professional there in 2006 before joining Leverkusen three years later.
Building a Coaching Career
Since retiring as a player, Bender has steadily built experience across multiple levels. He worked within the German Football Association's (DFB) youth development programme and held coaching positions at SpVgg Unterhaching before taking charge at Regionalliga side Wacker Burghausen in January 2025. During his tenure at Burghausen, the club finished ninth in the league standings. Bender had announced his departure from the role several weeks prior to Bayern's formal announcement.
In a statement, Bender expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity: "It is a privilege to take on this role at FC Bayern. The conversations have been exceptionally positive from the beginning, and I'm excited about this challenge and the chance to develop young talent at this level."
Bayern's Youth Development Vision
Michael Wiesinger, Bayern's Head of Sport and Youth Development, praised the appointment. "Lars brings considerable experience as both a player and coach, with proven expertise in youth football and senior-level coaching," Wiesinger said. "Beyond his credentials, he's demonstrated genuine character and passion for this opportunity from our initial discussions." This appointment reinforces Bayern's commitment to integrating experienced figures into their youth academy structure, blending tactical knowledge with mentorship for the club's emerging talent pipeline.
