Hoeneß causing unrest? How Bayern are debating their club patron | OneFootball

Publicly, there is no criticism of Uli Hoeneß’s appearance on SPORT1 Doppelpass – neither from President Herbert Hainer nor from CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen. However, behind the scenes, a more nuanced picture emerges.

The honorary president’s appearance sparked plenty of conversation among those close to the German record champions. Hoeneß, as usual, expressed strong opinions and thus fueled the public debate. Yet, there has been no official pushback so far.

“It is certainly legitimate to have controversial discussions. That’s all Uli Hoeneß said. And I think that’s the most normal thing in the world. If everyone always sings the same tune in unison, it gets boring,” Dreesen explained at a FC Bayern reception in the Bavarian State Chancellery. Hainer also emphasized that Hoeneß, with his manner, contributes to the DNA of the club.

Sporting director Max Eberl, who bore the brunt of the criticism, does not want to engage in any debate with Hoeneß: “I would like to reveal a secret, which then won’t be a secret anymore: For Vincent, Christoph Freund, and myself, when there are topics swirling around us that are eventually exhausted, we have a statement and it is: And now football! Now it’s only about football,” he emphasized on Friday.

This makes it clear: Criticism of the club icon is not expressed publicly. Instead, the club leadership relies on the tried-and-true strategy of highlighting the long-time Bayern boss’s achievements and accepting his statements as part of club life.

Internal Interpretation Sparks Discussion

Photo: IMAGO

As SPORT1 chief reporter Stefan Kumberger reported in the podcast Die Bayern-Woche, those responsible are also dealing with Hoeneß’s statements with surprising composure internally. A particular interpretation is making the rounds behind the scenes: “There is certainly the opinion that Hoeneß, with his statements, does not harm FC Bayern, because in a way he is acting on his own account. He stands for himself. The club is bigger than any individual and is not really shaken by this.”

This view may seem surprising at first glance, but it shows the pragmatism with which the honorary president is handled at Säbener Straße. Hoeneß raising his voice is not seen as a threat, but rather as an expression of his personality. Bayern do not see themselves as fundamentally damaged by his words – even if some observers might consider this attitude naive.

Only one passage from Dreesen could be interpreted as a minor call to order: “What’s important is that we have these discussions internally and come to a joint result. The path to that should remain discreet within our ranks.” A reminder that the club prefers closed communication, without directly criticizing Hoeneß in public.

Balancing Tradition and Modernity

For Kumberger, this cautious approach is exactly the right one to avoid further discontent. “In this situation, Dreesen expressed himself exactly right,” says the Bayern insider.

This episode once again highlights the special role Hoeneß plays at FC Bayern. He is a voice, a warning figure, and a critic – but his words are not understood as the club’s official stance. Behind the scenes, there seems to be a conviction: The German record champions are big enough to withstand even the edgy statements of their legends.

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