Last summer, Rummenigge resigned as chairman of the Bayern club's board. However, Bayern was troubled by the new management, this season's Champions League was eliminated by the 7th-placed team Villarreal in La Liga in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and Kahn and other senior personnel seemed to have nothing to do, and there was never any voice to criticize the team's poor performance.
In this regard, georg Holzner, a journalist from the authoritative media "Kicker", conducted an exclusive interview with Rummenigge today. The 66-year-old football legend not only talked about the Champions League knockout rounds, but also talked about Bayern manager Nagelsman, the new management, the competition in European football, etc., and every statement was still so loud and merciless.
Q: Mr. Rummenigge, how do you see Bayern out of the Champions League?
A: When Villarreal scored in the 88th minute, the whole field was shocked. Everyone thought the game would go into extra time and Bayern would continue to step up their attacks, but Villarreal equalized (leading on aggregate) and the air on the pitch seemed to be gone. Bayern's departure from the Champions League was shocking.
Q: What do you think is the main reason for Bayern's Champions League exit?
A: If you watch these two games, Villarreal really deserves the final promotion. Bayern just had a bad day in the first leg last week and the 0-1 defeat is still a good result. In the second leg, Villarreal took a tough defense and didn't waste time on the field and showed that it was a shrewd team. Their paper prowess may have been underestimated, but Villarreal showed that they actually played well. It also reflects the current balance of power in European football.
Q: However, Villarreal is currently only seventh in La Liga.
A: It's a well-run team, well-controlled salary costs, and has a top coach. I've been following Coach Emery for a long time and everyone knows he can lead the team to beat any opponent in a knockout match! As you can see, he used clever tactics to make Bayern's two legs very tough.
Q: If you take the second leg as an example, is this a reflection of Bayern's performances over the past few weeks? The striker is not playing and the back line is vulnerable to attack, do you agree?
A: Until last Christmas, the team's performance was very stable. But in the second half of the season, Bayern lost a bit – you can see that in the goals conceded. More players have slipped in the squad than in the past. This has to do with sometimes choosing a different tactical system. Since Bayern have been better at playing in the 4231 system since Van Gaal, it is now common to see the three-back system. Judging by the distance I've gained, I really can't say that the team is adapting to it.
Q: Bayern are currently experiencing significant turmoil, similar to what happened a few years ago before Hans Frick took over. Why?
A: Exactly! Surprisingly, the media has been discussing the issue of players' contracts. First Kimich, then Goretzka, Koeman, and now Neuer, Mueller, Lewandowski and Gnabry. We're in the last quarter of the season right now, so those topics are not good for the club and it's going to cause turmoil for the club. You can feel this clearly.
Q: Why?
A: Another example, the gossip about Haaland's transfer offer. It had a counterproductive effect on the whole of football, but it didn't help the player at all. In any case, fans can no longer understand the numbers. We have suffered heavy financial losses due to the pandemic, but the asking prices of agents and players are increasing. Commercial football is no longer rational. On the contrary, it becomes more and more irrational.
Q: So, how should Bayern deal with the renewal of players' contracts?
A: It's not easy, but you have to find a program that makes the topic more relaxed. You have to work calmly again at some point. This affected football as a whole and, of course, Bayern as Germany's most outstanding club.
Q: In the past, Bayern have reacted to disappointing seasons, sometimes even investing more, such as Riberg, Tony and Klose in 2007, and Martinez and Mandzukic in 2012. Will it do the same this summer?
A: I don't think it's necessary in today's situation. In 2007 we finished fourth in the Bundesliga table and failed to qualify for the Champions League; Borussia Dortmund won the double in 2012 and we also lost at home to Chelsea in the Champions League final. That's a different starting point. Today, Bayern have 18 players expected to compete in the Qatar World Cup. Take the game against Villarreal as an example, Gnabry on the bench is the German international, Davis is one of the best left-backs in the world, and Shupomotin has also qualified for the World Cup with Cameroon. Therefore, this does not mean that Bayern do not have a reserve of strength on the bench.
Q: If Bayern doesn't react financially to this Champions League exit, it may be more likely to need expertise. Will you still help Bayern now?
A: Although the club will always be in my heart, I consciously decided to resign last summer. If you ask me, I will always support Bayern and if you want, I will give my advice, but I don't want to act as if I know everything. You have to be confident in the new management and give them the necessary time. They will turn things around. What worries me the most is actually another point....
Q: Another point?
A: There are two Premier League teams and two Spanish teams in the Champions League semi-finals, which reflects the current status of European football. The Premier League is really strong. Last Sunday, I saw one of the best games of the last five years, with Manchester City and Liverpool drawing 2-2. The Bundesliga is currently unable to reach this level. From Bayern's point of view, it will not be easy in the near future. The transfer market is likely to have a new dimension.
Q: For bayern leaders, this is not a task to be thankful for.
A: The pandemic has had an impact, with billionaires behind Premier League clubs and Paris Saint-Germain. We in Germany still have the "50+1" rule, which makes things difficult.
Q: So you think "50+1" must be abolished?
A: At Bayern, we have always believed that every club should decide for themselves whether to abolish 50+1.
Q: Can you imagine Bayern now taking out loans instead of saving money?
A: Bayern has always been known for that. I like to quote Hénez who would go directly into the deposits department of the Sparkasse, not the credit department. You should not follow the example of Barcelona's path. Bayern are known for seriously funding the team, not for loans.
Q: You left Bayern in the summer of 2021. When you see bayern not having your performance this season, like this tuesday, will it feel more painful?
A: I really feel very sorry. When Kovac coached the team, we left an unsolved knot. After being eliminated by Liverpool in that [Champions League quarter-final], I stayed up all night and had a heavy heart, so I really wanted to see Bayern play Liverpool again. It can be seen that in our time, things are not always going well, but we have to solve one problem or another. That is the task of the new management.
Q: Can the new management do it?
A: No matter what, I wish them the best of luck. Bayern also suffered terrible defeats in 1999 and 2012, which left us up all night, but Bayern has always been known for solving problems, overcoming challenges and eventually rising like a phoenix from the ashes again.