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Sammer leaves

Ross DunbarJuly 10, 2016

Sammer has been at the head of Bayern Munich's sporting operations since 2012, since which the club has won every league championship since. He has suffered health issues in recent months.

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FC Bayern München Sportdirektor Matthias Sammer
Image: Getty Images/Bongarts/D. Mouhtaropoulos

Matthias Sammer has left German champions Bayern Munich 'on his own wish', the club confirmed on Sunday.

The 48-year-old has cut ties with the Bavarian giants - two years before his contract expires. The news comes 24 hours before Bayern unveil their new coach, Carlo Ancelotti, to the world's media.

In April, Sammer was being treated for a small circulatory disorder in the brain. In an official club statement, Sammer said his health had been restored in recent weeks and that was not a reason for his decision.

Sammer, who won the 1996 European Championship as a player with Germany, replaced Christian Nerlinger in 2012 and in his first season, Bayern won a historic treble under Jupp Heynckes.

The Dresden-born sporting director helped bring Pep Guardiola to Germany in 2013 and in recent years has been influential in such signings like Arturo Vidal, Robert Lewandowski and Mats Hummels.

Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed Sammer's post will stay unfilled and responsibilities will be shared within the club.