The Malta Independent on Sunday
End of an era at Bayern as Uli Hoeness steps down
Football Motor-cycling
ended by chronic knee problems. Hoeness, a former forward, scored 86 goals in 239 Bundesliga appearances for the club from 1970-79.
Hoeness inherited a club with 12 employees, 12 million Deutschmarks (about $7 million) in revenue and 8 million Deutschmarks ($4.6 million) in debt. He helped turn Bayern into one of the world’s biggest clubs with financial reserves rarely seen in debt-ridden European soccer.
Bayern enjoyed unrivalled success on the field, too, where it established hegemony over German soccer and claimed the last seven Bundesliga titles. It has won 21 since Hoeness took over, as well as 12 German Cups and two Champions League titles.
Hoeness’s good friend Jupp Heynckes led Bayern to its only league, cup and Champions League treble in 2013.
“I don’t think you can imagine what German soccer will be like without him,” former Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said of Hoeness.
The only blot on Hoeness’s otherwise stellar career is the conviction he received in March 2014 for evading €28.5 million in taxes through a Swiss bank account. Hoeness, who quit as Bayern president and chairman after being sentenced, resumed his duties in November 2016 after serving half the 42-month prison term. He remained close to the club while in custody, benefiting from a work-release programme to help in its youth department before returning to prison overnight.
Hoeness emerged unscathed and with his popularity possibly boosted after the conviction – he was greeted with standing ovations upon his return – but he faced unprecedented criticism, boos and whistles from club members at Bayern’s AGM last year.
Rivals were long used to Hoeness’s blunt manner and abrasive style, but some of Bayern’s fans also grew exasperated by his squabbling against the media, and his personal tirades against former players and coaches. Bayern’s sponsorship deals with Qatar are also unpopular among many of the club’s fans.
Clearly surprised and hurt by the criticism, Hoeness announced he would consider walking away from the club, and he confirmed this year that he would not seek another fouryear term as president. He will stay on as a member of Bayern’s supervisory board for the duration of his term until November 2023.
Former Adidas chief executive Herbert Hainer is set to take over as president. But Hoeness won’t be far way.
“I’ll maintain a close relationship with Bayern,” Hoeness said, “and even invite players for dinner so I can give my opinion behind closed doors if it’s wanted.”