Former Bayern Munich executive talks interactions with Real Madrid

Former Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was recently interviewed [AS] where he talked about his time at the helm of the largest club in Germany and the Bundesliga.

While his interviewed covered many topics, he did speak on his relationship regarding transfers with Real Madrid and gave some insight into the formation of the failed European Super League.

“Let’s just say it didn’t catch me unexpectedly. Florentino [Perez] was always a supporter of the [Super League]. We are talking about a big businessman who had not agreed with [the] decisions of FIFA and UEFA for some time and acted accordingly. The idea of the Super League was not born in April, but much earlier.”

Rummenigge also spoke about Real Madrid’s past interest in a couple of specific Bayern players who have made an impact with the club.

Re: Robert Lewandowski

“He [Perez] never dropped his name in any of our conversations. He knows me very well and knows that he doesn’t sell to a player like Lewandowski. I always said that the two best signings I made in 30 years at the helm of Bayern were him and [Manuel] Neuer. The best back and the best up, without which recent successes would not have been possible.”

Re: Franck Ribery

“We wanted to send a message to the world of football. They offered us 75 million for Ribéry, at that time he would have broken all records. I remember we all sat down and started discussing the matter to come to the conclusion that we weren’t going to sell for either that money or more. Our intention was to show the world that Bayern is not a buying or selling club. It was a clear signal, both to the clubs and to our players who, from that moment on, understood that contracts are signed here to fulfill them.”

Rummenigge recently stepped down as CEO of Bayern Munich over the summer. Longtime Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn replaced the 65-year-old as the chief executive in July.