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A hugely successful era is coming to an end at FC Bayern. At his own request and in close consultation with president and supervisory board chairman Herbert Hainer and the supervisory board, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge will retire from his position as CEO of FC Bayern München AG with effect from June 30, 2021.
“It is the most strategically sensible and logical time,” says Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “We’re coming to the end of the financial year, and at the same time a new phase is beginning with a new coaching team. The new season should be the responsibility of Oliver Kahn as the new CEO right from the start – also for the sake of the people involved and thus in terms of the future of FC Bayern. I already said two years ago that we were planning a prudent transition, and it is finally being implemented now. That’s how it should be.”
Originally, his contract was set to expire on December 31, 2021. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who shaped the club for ten years as a player and who has done so since 1991 in management, added: “It’s a farewell filled with satisfaction and pride, I’m able to hand over a club that is completely sound in sporting, economic and structural terms. That was important to me. I would like to thank so many people whose paths I have crossed at FC Bayern. First and foremost, of course, my colleagues on the board, President Herbert Hainer and our committees, especially the supervisory board. But also all the employees of FC Bayern and, of course, our fantastic fans. I hope that they will soon be able to support our team in the stadium again. I sincerely wish FC Bayern the greatest possible success, continued unchanging values and an unshakeable sense of unity. I never learned Bavarian – but let me say this as a farewell: mia bleim mia (we stay who we are).
“I would like to thank Karl-Heinz Rummenigge from the bottom of my heart on behalf of the club and the supervisory board,” said president and supervisory board chairman Herbert Hainer. “Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has played a major role in shaping FC Bayern, initially as a striker, but especially after the end of his playing career, first as vice-president and from 2002 onwards as CEO. Together with Uli Hoeneß, he formed FC Bayern into one of the best clubs in elite international football – both in sporting and economic terms. It was a pleasure and an honour for me and for all of us to have worked with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. As soon as the coronavirus situation allows, we will officially give him the farewell he deserves at FC Bayern. The name Karl-Heinz Rummenigge will always be closely associated with FC Bayern.“
Regarding the future of FC Bayern München AG, Herbert Hainer said: “Oliver Kahn will now take over responsibility at the helm of FC Bayern München AG with effect from 1 July. After his extremely successful professional playing career and his time as an entrepreneur, he has now been intensively involved in the board of FC Bayern München AG for one and a half years. He has already been involved in key decisions for the future of FC Bayern and has set the course for the coming years with the FC Bayern AHEAD strategy project. We are all convinced that Oliver Kahn is the right man to successfully shape the future of FC Bayern München AG.”
“Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has done a great job for FC Bayern as CEO for more than 20 years. During this time, the club has won everything there was to win, and his services to FC Bayern cannot be valued highly enough,” commented Oliver Kahn. “Now the time has come for me to take over responsibility at the helm of FC Bayern München AG. In the past 18 months, I have become acquainted with all facets of the club and know very well how FC Bayern works and what challenges lie ahead. I am aware of the task and the responsibility it entails and am very much looking forward to it.”
Numerous trophies both as player and club official
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge arrived in Munich from Borussia Lippstadt in 1974 at the age of 18. At FC Bayern, the striker made 310 Bundesliga appearances, scoring 162 goals. In total, he played in 422 competitive matches in which he scored 217 goals. With FC Bayern, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge won the Intercontinental Cup (1976), European Cup twice (1975 / 1976), the German championship twice (1980 / 1981), the DFB Cup twice (1982 / 1984) and the European Championship with the German national team (1980). In addition, he was twice European Player of the Year (1980 / 1981), once Germany’s Player of the Year (1980), and he the Bundesliga’s top scorer three times (1980 / 1981 / 1984). After ten years at FC Bayern, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge moved to Inter Milan in 1984 and played for Servette Geneva from 1987 to 1989.
In 1991, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge returned to FC Bayern as vice-president. In 2002, he took over as CEO of the newly-founded FC Bayern München AG. Since then, FC Bayern have won the UEFA Champions League twice (2013 / 2020), the Club World Cup twice (2013 / 2021), the German championship 14 times and the DFB Cup ten times. The sporting highlights were the two treble triumphs in 2013 and 2020. In addition to these sporting successes, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge can proudly look back on the fact that FC Bayern München AG increased its turnover from €176 million to €679 million during his tenure. In addition, FC Bayern München AG posted a profit in every financial year during this period, thus ensuring the economic stability of FC Bayern.
