Karl-Heinz Rummenigge joined the club management in 1991 as the vice president and took over as the CEO in 2002. After a hugely successful era, he is set to retire and hand over the position to Bayern’s former goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.
Rummenigge ended his playing career in 1989 when he was playing for Servette Geneva and joined Bayern’s club management in 1991 as the vice-president. In 2002, he took over as the CEO of the newly founded FC Bayern München AG. Under his supervision, Bayern have experienced tremendous success and won innumerable trophies, including the German championship 14 times, the UEFA Champions League twice (2013 / 2020), and two trebles in 2013 and 2020. Moreover, the club also saw an increase in its turnover from €176 million to €679 million under his administration.
Hansi Flick, the former head coach of Bayern, resigned at the end of the season after winning seven major titles. Julian Nagelsmann was appointed to replace him. Karl feels that it is the most logical time to retire with the financial year coming to an end and also since a new phase is set to begin with a new coaching team.
“It is the most strategically sensible and logical time. I already said two years ago that we were planning a prudent transition, and it is finally being implemented now. That’s how it should be.”
After an extremely successful career , Karl bid farewell to the club with great pride and satisfaction. He thanked the members of the supervisory board and all the employees of Bayern, including their fans.
President Herbert Hainer thanked Karl for his services and also for transforming Bayern into one of the best clubs in elite international football – both in sporting and economic terms. He promised an official farewell for the man after the COVID-19 pandemic.
He also announced that Oliver Kahn, who has been one of the key decision-makers for the past one and half years, is set to take over as the new CEO of the club, and he believes that German is the right man to shape the future of Bayern successfully.
The future CEO, Kahn, commended Karl’s contribution to the club. Moreover, he reckons that he is well aware of the club proceedings and says he is very much looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead.
“Now the time has come for me to take over responsibility at the helm of FC Bayern München AG. In the past 18 months, I have become acquainted with all facets of the club and know very well how FC Bayern works and what challenges lie ahead. I am aware of the task and the responsibility it entails and am very much looking forward to it.”
