Speculation about a comeback
Former Bayern star returning to Munich? The sports director reacted
11/22/2025 – 08:04Reading time: 2 minutes
He had very successful years with the German record champions. Will David Alaba return now?
He won ten German championships with FC Bayern, the DFB Cup six times, the Champions League twice, became a global star in Munich, and was a crowd favorite in the Bavarian capital until his departure in 2021. In the Bundesliga he wore the jersey of the German champions a record 281 times.
Will David Alaba return to FC Bayern? Sporting director Christoph Freund has now commented on the speculation – and has yet to give a direct answer on the Austrian’s possible return in Munich. “There are no plans yet,” Freund answered on Sky when asked whether Alaba could return as a player or in another role. But he also explained: “He had a huge impact on FC Bayern in his time, he was a great and intelligent man who will continue to have a great path after his football career.”
The 33-year-old moved to Bayern in 2008 and played for the club until 2021 after a six-month break – Alaba was loaned to TSG Hoffenheim for the second half of the 2010/11 season. He then joined Real Madrid, and Alaba went to the Spanish record champions on a free transfer. His contract with the “Royals” runs until 2026.
In recent years, the defender has suffered repeated injuries – including a ligament injury that will keep him out of action from late 2023 to early 2025. He was recently sidelined with a calf injury.
Freund is confident: Alaba wants to “play football for some time and compete in the World Cup with Austria.” However, Freund is still not sure whether Alaba will wear a Bayern uniform again someday.
