Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge reflects on his best moves

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge led many important moves over his tenure with the club, but when asked to name his best, the 65-year-old did not have to think too hard.

“Neuer 2011 for around 20 million euros, Lewandowski 2014 even free of charge — the world’s best goalkeeper in the back, the world’s best striker in the front,” Rummenigge said in an interview with Bild. “That was the basis for the best ten years in the club’s history.”

Just as his “hits” were easy to recall, the players Rummenigge was not able to retain still sting the club legend. To no one’s surpise, Rummenigge lamented losing Toni Kroos and David Alaba — both to Real Madrid — more than anyone.

“The sale of Kroos to Real Madrid in 2014 was painful from a sporting point of view, but at the time it was economically important at 30 million euros. There are phases when Bayern Munich also depends on something coming into the box office,” Rummenigge said. “Unfortunately, it was the same with Alaba, who is a wonderful boy. The overall package would simply have gone beyond the scope.”