Bayern tighten belts: Rummenigge urges stricter finances | OneFootball

The cost-cutting measures at FC Bayern were one of the dominant topics during the transfer summer of 2025. Under pressure from the supervisory board, sports director Max Eberl had to noticeably reduce squad costs – a goal he achieved with the departure of several prominent names. But for Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, this is just the beginning. The former CEO demands a more consistent stance in future contract negotiations.

According to information from BILD, the salary budget of the record champion was just under 300 million euros before the summer break. Too much, determined the influential trio of President Herbert Hainer, Honorary President Uli Hoeneß, and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Eberl was given the clear mandate to reduce salary costs.

The 51-year-old primarily targeted the top earners. Eight players left the club: Leroy Sané (20 million euros annual salary), Thomas Müller (17 million), Kingsley Coman (17 million), João Palhinha (8.5 million), Eric Dier (7 million), Mathys Tel (4 million), Paul Wanner (2 million), and Adam Aznou (330,000 euros). Together, this amounts to around 76 million euros in savings, according to BILD.

In contrast, the salaries of the four new signings Luis Díaz (14 million), Nicolas Jackson (up to 14 million), Jonathan Tah (9 million), and Tom Bischof (4 million) total 41 million euros. Ultimately, FC Bayern reduced its salary expenses by about 35 million euros.

"You have to say no sometimes"

Photo: IMAGO

For Rummenigge, this is not the end. The 69-year-old views the salary spiral in football critically and calls for a change in thinking. "Our salary costs have grown too quickly to a level that is not entirely safe," he warned in an interview with the dpa. His clear message: "You have to say the little word 'no' sometimes."

Players and their agents need to be made aware: "We won't do that. We don't want that. Players always talk about appreciation. But this form of appreciation in football today is a currency called the euro. However, no player in the world is worth driving a club to financial madness."

Contract marathon as a test of endurance

Soon it will become clear how consistently Bayern can follow their new course. In the summer of 2026, six contracts will expire – including those of key players like Dayot Upamecano and Manuel Neuer. The future of Leon Goretzka and Serge Gnabry is also uncertain. Especially Gnabry, Neuer, and Goretzka are among the top earners on Säbener Straße with over 15 million euros annually.

The coming months could thus become a real stress test for sports director Eberl. Between sporting necessities and financial prudence, Bayern must find a balance – and perhaps indeed say "no" more often.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.