FC Bayern Munich has turned to a high-profile figure as it looks to stabilize its season, announcing the return of Svetislav Pesic as head coach until the end of the season. The club confirmed the move on Monday, December 22, following the early departure of Gordon Herbert.
Bayern has dropped eight straight EuroLeague games and sits 19th in the standings at 5-12 through 17 rounds. The team has a minus 117 point differential and has struggled significantly on the road, posting a 1-9 away record while allowing 1,440 points.
Despite these European problems, Munich remains at the top of the Bundesliga and is still active in the domestic competitions. That contrast sharpened internal discussions about the direction of the season and the need for a reset on the bench.
Pesic’s appointment brings experience and institutional knowledge. He previously coached Bayern from 2012 to 2016, leading the club to its first Bundesliga title in 2014 and laying the foundation for its modern EuroLeague presence.
The club’s sporting director Dragan Tarlac cited that familiarity as a key factor in the decision. He said Pesic’s understanding of Munich, Bayern and both domestic and European competitions should allow a quick transition at a crucial point in the fixture list.
The Serbian coach was most recently head coach of the national team until last summer. In 2024, he led Serbia to the Olympic bronze medal, beating Germany in third place.
Pesic’s resume spans decades at the highest level of European basketball. His achievements include a World Championship title in 2002, European Championship victories with Germany in 1993 and Yugoslavia in 2001, and a EuroLeague title with FC Barcelona in 2003 as part of a domestic and continental treble.
Several current Bayern figures have previous ties to Pesic. Playmaker Stefan Jovic and captain Vladimir Lucic both played under him at international level, while Tarlac previously worked within the Serbian federation during Pesic’s tenure.
Herbert leaves after a season and a half in which Bayern won the Bundesliga title in 2025 and reached the EuroLeague Play-Ins. Tarlac emphasized that injuries, roster turnover, scheduling pressures and Herbert’s illness-related absence have also contributed to the recent slump.
Pesic was introduced to the selection on Monday afternoon and appeared at a press conference together with club chairman Herbert Hainer and Tarlac. His first test comes immediately, when Bayern hosts Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv in a EuroLeague home match at the SAP Garden on Tuesday evening.
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