Bayern Munich legend Karl-Heinz Rummenigge talks through why now was the right time to leave the club

In an exclusive interview with Bild, outgoing Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge talked through his recent decision to end his tenure early.

The exit of Rummenigge finalizes a remarkable era in Bayern Munich’s long and storied history. To walk away now was not a hasty decision for the legendary figure.

Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

“It matured over several weeks. Then on Whit Monday I invited my family to dinner and informed everyone. My six grandchildren can’t quite believe that their grandpa really has more time for them now,” Rummenigge said. “I was a striker at FC Bayern myself and played with Gerd Müller. Ironically, in my last game as CEO, Lewandowski scored his historic 41st goal in the last minute, then there was the bowl — it couldn’t be nicer for me to say goodbye!”

Bild then asked the obvious question about Rummenigge’s early exit: Did it have anything to do with the reported in-fighting between sporting director Hasan “Brazzo” Salihamidzic and former manager Hansi Flick?

“No, because now is basically the right time, the financial year ends and a new season begins, for which Oliver Kahn will be responsible from the start. Hansi’s move to the DFB, however, confirmed my decision,” Rummenigge said. “New coach, new season, new CEO — that’s a clean cut. It was very important to me to leave while it was nice. We have won seven titles in the past twelve months, are excellently positioned for the future with (Herbert) Hainer, (Oliver) Kahn, Salihamidzic and (Julian) Nagelsmann and are in the best economic position of all clubs in Europe. Despite Corona, we will announce another decent result on June 30th.”

Despite his importance to the club, Rummenigge expects Bayern Munich’s success to continue onward.

“I don’t mean this in a negative way, but in the end we are all replaceable, that goes for players and coaches as well as for me,” Rummenigge said. “Something new will emerge and FC Bayern will continue to be successful. The competition shouldn’t have too high hopes for a break-in.”