The move to Bayern fell through
“Idiot” statement from Rummenigge: Woltemade is now reacting
Updated 11/16/2025 – 8:33 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
In the wake of Nick Woltemade’s move to Newcastle United, Bayern’s supervisory board caused a stir with his statement. Now the striker himself speaks about Karl-Heinz Rummenigge’s choice of words – in clear words.
A last-minute change, a transfer fee of 75 million euros and the great legacy of a top striker – the summer was turbulent for Nick Woltemade. Now the international is talking about his move to Newcastle United and FC Bayern’s interest.
During the summer, FC Bayern made intensive efforts to acquire the offensive player. However, VfB Stuttgart, Woltemade’s club at the time, set a transfer fee that the Munich team did not want to pay. Finally, the record champions withdrew from the transfer poker – and Newcastle struck.
Some time after the change, Bayern supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge spoke out clearly. He said at the time that Stuttgart had found “an idiot” who would pay the required sum.
Woltemade has not responded publicly – until now. “I think that was the right thing to do,” emphasized the attacker in “Bild”. And further: “This summer a lot was made of my name, Bayern and transfer fee, that was the story of the summer.”
With regard to Rummenigge’s statement, he continued to tell the tabloid: “The headlines afterwards said ‘idiots’ everywhere. But I read through Mr. Rummenigge’s entire statement – it was certainly a bit unfortunate, but not quite as dramatic.”
Woltemade also revealed special reactions to the announcement of the move: “When I joined the national team, everyone congratulated me. The Bayern players also congratulated me. When you see a player take a step forward, then congratulations.”
The 23-year-old admitted that he was under pressure before starting at his new club. He was all the more relieved that he was able to score goals quickly.
“The whole Newcastle package had potential for excitement because I came on the last day. Then the transfer fee. The expectations of me because Newcastle’s top striker, Alexander Isak, left,” Woltemade continued. “There was already pressure there – I was very happy that it was lifted. I quickly noticed in Newcastle that it wasn’t just a good fit on a footballing level, but also on a human level.” Woltemade has scored six goals in 14 competitive games for the “Magpies” so far.