Reactions for Bayern’s record 8th consecutive Bundesliga title

Bayern Munich are German champions! After their 1-0 win away to Werder Bremen, taking their winning streak in the Hinrunde to 11 games, Bayern Munich also clinched the Bundesliga title for an 8th consecutive season with two games remaining. Everyone including coach Flick, CEO Rummenigge, president Hainer and the management staff were ecstatic, which was evident in their standing ovation for the Bayern team after the full time whistle.

CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge expressed his happiness and satisfaction at yet another successful domestic season for Bayern. “We are obviously very happy that this night we became champions.” He then went on to shower praise on coach Flick’s work at the helm: “I remember that during the autumn we were 7-8 points behind the table leaders. Then, Flick took over and since then we have played really excellent football. One can only compliment Hansi Flick’s coaching team.”

He acknowledged that the season has been a turbulent, strange one: “It has been a weird championship, we stand here in an empty stadium. But we are totally satisfied, our team have earned this championship.”

About the corona restart and Germany’s handling of the situation, he added, “It’s great that the championship wasn’t decided on the desks. You can see, for example, the drama caused in France, and the avalanche of lawsuits it caused. The Bundesliga in Germany was the first league that was allowed to restart operations. That was important for the image of the Bundesliga and the politics of the country.”

Rummenigge was also very optimistic about Bayern’s UCL chances: “First of all, I hope we can advance against Chelsea. The quarterfinal will be played in a single game. But at the moment, we are flying blind. So, the way it looks right now, we have a four week break before the UCL. Hansi Flick will give the team a short break, and then, we will prepare ourselves, so we progress in the next and more rounds, the best case being all the way to the final.”

Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

Coach Flick was similarly very pleased with Bayern’s performance. He was quick to acknowledge that this was possible due to a well concerted team effort: “You can never be successful alone, always only together. The staff outside is just one unit. There is very good communication and you have to emphasize that.”

Speaking about the clubs motto, “Mia san mia,” Flick added, “I was able to experience the ‘Mia san mia’ in my career. You live it. Thomas Muller is one of the players who exemplifies it, everyone goes along. The ‘Mia san mia’ principle simply shows self-confidence — ‘mia’ are good. The players need to know that they are of tremendous quality and the coaches trust them. That is the basis for success.”

Flick also has his sights set on the Champions league. “This is Bayern Munich. That suits me. We have achieved our first big goal. In the DFB cup, we want to take the next big step. But it is also clear: the Champions league comes next, and will be important. We have to get through the game against Chelsea and then see what’s next.”

After a well-deserved title, Flick didn’t hold back his intentions for celebrating. “Hermann Gerland has already said that we should have a drink today ... Don’t know what he’s drinking, I think bourbon. It’s not exactly my thing, but I will make him happy because, of course, he also plays a big part in the way we work.”

Photo by MARTIN MEISSNER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Bayern’s star striker Robert Lewandowski, who has been instrumental in their title run this season and arguably their best player, expressed his happiness while also pointing out that the win wasn’t the same without the fans: “It is special. We are German champions, but without fans to celebrate with, it’s a bit complicated. We lack the extra passion provided from the fans.”

He confessed that the season was by no means easy, and appreciated the team’s quality and efforts: “It wasn’t an easy season for us, we had a long fight. But we achieved it because of our quality. I hope that we can celebrate soon with our fans in the stadium.”

Lewandowski also praised team captain Manuel Neuer for being fantastic between the sticks, noteworthily making a great save to deny Bremen in the dying moments of the game to secure the title for Bayern. “Typical Manu. He likes to play forward towards the ball. It was a bit of a dangerous situation, he needed to be careful. But he did it wonderfully.”

About Bayern’s Champions league chances, he chimed in, “We still have a bit of time until the Champions League. We have played many games. With such a burden, it makes a big difference; we have only 3 days till the next match. However, we have shown that we are the best team in Germany. Of course, we want to advance in the UCL. But we don’t know how we’ll have to prepare ourselves after Corona, how the new ways will be.”

Photo by M. Donato/FC Bayern via Getty Images

Club president Herbert Hainer summed up the season perfectly: “At the annual general meeting in November, we were in fourth place, losing 1-5 to Eintracht Frankfurt. And now we’re German champions. I’m really proud of the club.”

Hainer also smells a treble. “I quote the experts: This team has what it takes to win the triple. The individual quality, and what Hansi Flick has done over the past six months is worthy of all honor. We are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, are in the DFB Cup final - there is still everything in it.”

Do you smell a treble too? Because I sure smell one! The prospects are very good, and Coach Flick seems all primed to replicate the success of one Jupp Heynckes in 2013.