Updated on 04/14/2022 at 06:59
- After FC Bayern was eliminated from the Champions League, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Lothar Matthäus spoke up with their assessments.
- The former CEO of FC Bayern, Rummenigge, gives those responsible for Bayern a clear piece of advice.
- Meanwhile, Lothar Matthäus criticizes Oliver Kahn’s handling of the CL disappointment.
According to the long-time Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, FC Bayern Munich’s Champions League exit is not due to a lack of quality in the squad. “There are 18 players in the FC Bayern squad who are expected to take part in the World Cup,” said the 66-year-old to “Bild” (Thursday). “The elimination is not due to the quality of the squad.”
After a 0-1 draw in the first leg, clearly favored FC Bayern were eliminated by a 1-1 draw in the second leg against FC Villarreal on Tuesday in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. In the summer of 2021, after two decades, Rummenigge handed over the chairmanship of the German record champions to Oliver Kahn.
Rummenigge with clear advice to those responsible for Bayern
Rummenigge told the newspaper that losing out to Villarreal in the quarter-finals did not reflect the expectations of FC Bayern and their fans. “If I could give FC Bayern one piece of advice, and that applies to football in general, it would be that everyone in the club should limit themselves to their skills. Things like contract extensions are a matter for the board of directors and the supervisory board.”
He had noticed that the impression had been created that only contract talks were taking place all the time, and that everything was constantly being publicly debated. “It’s not good, it’s not helpful in such a phase of the season. Here you have to find a procedure that doesn’t permanently disturb the climate.”
The disappointment after leaving was huge, said Rummenigge. Bayern had a pitch-black day in the first leg. “If you analyze the 180 minutes soberly, Villarreal’s progress is not even undeserved.” There is so much at stake, financial income, image, talks with players about contract extensions. “A defeat like this comes at the worst possible time.”
FC Bayern is out of the “premier class”. For a long time, the German record champions dominated the second leg against FC Villarreal, even leading through a goal by the world footballer. Then the guests managed to equalize late. Thumbnail: picture alliance/SvenSimon/Frank Hoermann
Matthew criticizes Kahn
Meanwhile, Lothar Matthäus has no understanding of how to deal with the knockout. “Those in charge said it was 1-1 nicer than it was. Three big chances are not Bayern-like, the claim and quality are actually higher,” wrote the record national player in a column for “Kicker” (Thursday). “There was a lack of self-image, of one-on-one situations, of determination to move forward. The classic FC Bayern DNA is missing, uncertainty has crept in,” criticized Matthäus.
After a 0-1 draw in the first leg, clearly favored FC Bayern were eliminated by a 1-1 draw against Villarreal in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. “Oliver Kahn spoke plainly as a player. It would be nice if he would return there. He can’t say that you’re satisfied with your own performance and didn’t see the tactics at Villarreal,” wrote Matthäus. “If this is Bayern’s sense of entitlement, then he rowed in the wrong direction.” (dpa/ska)
