Beckenbauer: Sammer will revive Bayern

Bayern Munich's honorary president Franz Beckenbauer has revealed that the Bavaraian club tried to lure new director of sport Matthias Sammer to them in the past. Sammer recently replaced Christian Nerlinger, but Beckenbauer says his appointment comes several years later than planned. Der Kaiser told Munich's Abendzeitung that Sammer had been sounded out about taking over from Uli Hoeness before he became president of the club three years ago. "When I was still president, we were very close to getting him on a few occasions," said Beckenbauer, who is delighted that they have now finally got their man. "Sammer will revive FC Bayern - he is ideal for the club. It was the best thing that could have happened to us." Bayern have gone two seasons without winning any silverware for the first time in two decades and Beckenbauer hopes the appointment of the former technical director for the German FA and former Bundesliga winning coach of Borussia Dortmund will lead to a change in fortunes. "None of us have really been happy with the last two years," said Beckenbauer. "You can only be successful when you force it - we have lacked passion and energy." From fifa