Bayern Munich CEO: “There is only one Joshua Kimmich”

In an interview with kicker, Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge talked openly about midfielder Joshua Kimmich and just how much the 25-year-old is valued at the club. Kimmich, too, was part of the interview and had some interesting things to say about his preferred position and more.

Rummenigge spoke about Kimmich’s importance to the squad and noted that while having two Joshua Kimmichs available to play defensive-midfield and right-back would be ideal, it is great for Bayern Munich to just have the original version on its roster.

Rummenigge is clearly not up for any human cloning.

Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images

“We’d like to have two Kimmichs, but there is only one Joshua Kimmich, and we are happy he plays for FC Bayern,” Rummenigge said. “He has a strong understanding of the game and is a decisive clock and impulse generator for our team. In addition, he has an absolute will to win. Joshua Kimmich embodies the term world class.”

Kimmich, himself, talked through the recent clamor from fans wanting to see him to return to right-back. While Kimmich is not opposed to doing whatever is necessary to win, the star midfielder indicated he clearly has a preferred position.

“I clearly stated which position I feel more comfortable in, but it’s more important to me to win a game than to only play as a ‘6’ and only think about myself and my position,” said Kimmich. “I’ve proven enough that I can be important for the team in both positions.”

As for moving to right-back for an extended stint, Kimmich does not feel that will be needed on a long-term basis.

“I hardly played at the right-back position last season and things worked out well,” Kimmich stated.

The full version of the interview is available in German in kicker’s eMagazine.