On the European stage, FC Bayern has to compete with more and more clubs that can invest significantly larger amounts of money in their squads. President Herbert Hainer doesn’t want to be intimidated by PSG, Manchester City and Co. – because the record champions have their own charms.
“The players also earn very well here, the money comes on time every month – and at the same time we don’t build castles in the air. We get to the point every now and then: ‘This far and no further’,” revealed the 68-year-old in an interview the “sports picture”.
The club boss let it be known that there is an internal upper limit for salaries, but Hainer did not want to give any figures. “Of course it’s always about the salary structure remaining homogeneous and that we have a reasonable structure,” he warned.
This homogeneous structure was also the reason why FC Bayern did not seriously get involved in poker for top players like Erling Haaland or Cristiano Ronaldo in the summer.
“The examples show that we always keep an eye on the overall concept, even with certainly highly interesting players – in terms of sport and business,” explained the former Adidas boss.
Although other clubs have wealth from the Emirates or, as in the Premier League, are raking in significantly higher TV money, Hainer does not see his club without a chance in the fight for absolute top players.
Hainer: FC Bayern have “a unique reputation”
“We don’t have the leeway like others, but we are creative, work with clear strategies and have developed models to sign talent and train them to become top players,” he emphasized, adding: “Success is our currency.”
The German industry leader has a unique reputation in the “soccer world”, which made top transfers like Sadio Mané or Matthijs de Ligt possible this summer. The fact that players like Leon Goretzka, Jamal Musiala and Serge Gnabry recently extended their contracts also proves “the value FC Bayern has for them”.
Hainer also made a promise to Bayern fans to continue on the path that goes back to long-time club manager Uli Hoeneß.
“We have been doing serious and far-sighted business here for decades and that is why we have survived the pandemic well so far. We will continue in exactly this style,” made his successor at the top of the club clear.