A family affair: David Alaba’s response to Uli Hoeness’s scathing comments

Bayern Munich center-back David Alaba personally responded to the recent statements made by ex-president Uli Hoeness in an exclusive at Bild. Whereas his agents Pini Zahavi and George Alaba took an indignant tone in earlier comments published by Sky, Alaba himself delivered a measured statement, making his dedication to Bayern and the Bayern family clear while also unmistakably asking the Bayern officials to keep their family dispute “in the family” and out of the public eye. He did not mention Hoeness by name.

Alaba’s statement in full:

I would prefer it if my contractual situation were not resolved in public. Hence, a few statements and reports of the past few weeks have baffled and definitely also hurt me. Many things that are being written and said are simply incorrect and do not correspond to the truth. I would like all parties involved to forego a public discussion, even if not all the details are known.

I have never said much about this subject because I have focused exclusively on our important tasks with FC Bayern. And that was good, because in the end we won the Treble. That was all that mattered in the past weeks and months. The fact that I could take active part in this unique story makes me proud again every day.

I have worn the legendary red jersey for twelve years, and I have done so and still do so every day with devotion, pride, and passion. The good of this fantastic club simply comes before everything else and is also very important to me. I have kept every official, every teammate, every employee of the club in my heart. In a family, you have different opinions, you might also fight, but is always stays in the family. I’d also welcome that going forward.

I’d like if if we can find a solution in the near future, so that the club, the officials, my teammates, and also the fans know where we are.

Pini Zahavi also followed up his early statements to Sky with remarks to Bild. He said:

“I have never talked about a specific commission with Bayern, never! Months ago I had a conversation with Hasan Salihamidzic. He asked me how big the commission would be; I said, ‘Big,’ and we laughed. But we have never talked numbers, not 5, 10, or 15 million! Whoever says that is a liar! The next time we talked about it was in Lisbon, when Hasan asked again about it. I said, the only thing that is important is David and his salary. And when that’s all said and done, I’ll ask for a normal commission like every other agent, no more, no less. Just like with Lewandowski.”

Zahavi also elaborated on his disappointment with Hoeness’s condemnation, saying, “I have met Uli Hoeness only once at a game by coincidence and said hello. We have never talked, he doesn’t know me — how can he say such things about me? I’ve conducted hundreds of negotiations with people from the football business. There were never problems.”