Rummenigge and Hoeneß: Are They Still the Ones Calling the Shots at Bayern?
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeneß continue to shape Bayern Munich from behind the scenes. But is their influence still beneficial for the club?
“We will continue this until we feel that everything is 100 percent in order...
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeneß continue to exert significant influence at Bayern Munich, despite holding peripheral roles on the Supervisory Board. Their experience and intuition remain invaluable assets for the club.
According to Lars Lunde, a former Bayern striker and close acquaintance of Hoeneß, their presence is beneficial for Bayern. “You can't buy the experience they have; it's worth its weight in gold for the club,” Lunde said. He believes Hoeneß and Rummenigge's continued involvement is a strength, not a weakness, and that other clubs likely envy Bayern for having such seasoned professionals on board.
Lunde praises Hoeneß for being a born leader who speaks his mind, even if it means being unconventional. He notes that Hoeneß's directness is often misunderstood by the media, and that his presence helps maintain a culture of debate within the club.
Bayern's CEO, Jan-Christian Dreesen, shares this sentiment, stating that Hoeneß and Rummenigge's involvement is a strength, not a burden. “We would be negligent if we didn't seek their opinion and gladly exchange ideas with them,” Dreesen said, highlighting the value of their experience and expertise.
That sounds like an exciting match! Bayern Munich is looking to extend their perfect record in the Champions League, and they'll be facing a tough opponent in Club Brugge. Bayern's coach, Vincent Kompany, has expressed respect for the Belgian side, saying they're a working-class club that can get good results in Europe and won't be easy opponents. Club Brugge's coach, Nicky Hayen, is looking to make Bayern doubt themselves and create chances.
The match is scheduled for tonight at 9:00 PM local time at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. You can catch the live stream on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+. Bayern Munich has a strong record at home in the Champions League, with only one loss in their last 24 matches. Club Brugge, however, has won only one of their last 16 European away games against German opposition.
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗦𝗘𝗧!! 🏟️🌟 pic.twitter.com/lR3oB60hZZ
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) October 22, 2025
Here are some key stats and facts about the match:
- Head-to-Head Record: Bayern Munich has a 50% win rate in their last two Champions League encounters against Club Brugge.
- Bayern's Home Record: Bayern have lost only one of their last 24 home matches in the Champions League.
- Club Brugge's Away Record: Club Brugge has won only one of their last 16 European away games against German opposition.
- Harry Kane's Form: Harry Kane has scored four goals in two UEFA Champions League appearances for Bayern Munich this season.
Another @ChampionsLeague night awaits! ✨ pic.twitter.com/xPRpYdaXxX
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) October 22, 2025
Despite being past retirement age, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeneß continue to wield significant influence at Bayern Munich, with sources suggesting they're still the ones calling the shots. This is despite the official leadership roles resting with Chairman Herbert Hainer, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, and Sports Director Max Eberl.
Rummenigge and Hoeneß have been instrumental in shaping Bayern's success, and their presence on the Supervisory Board is seen as invaluable. According to Lars Lunde, a former Bayern striker, “You can't buy the experience they have; it's worth its weight in gold for the club.” Their continued involvement is believed to provide stability and guidance, drawing from their extensive football experience and business acumen.
The dynamic duo's influence extends beyond their formal roles, with some claiming they still make the final decisions. Rummenigge himself has said, “As long as they are alive, nothing happens in the club without their knowledge. You just have to accept that, and I think it's good because with their experience, it would be completely insane not to involve them in decisions.”
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge addressed concerns about his and Uli Hoeneß's continued involvement with Bayern Munich, stating, “We will continue this until we feel that everything is 100 percent in order. Unfortunately, it wasn’t 100 percent in order before—that’s a fair point, especially regarding the development of the club’s finances. So when everything is 100 percent in order, we will hand over the keys to our successors.” He emphasized that the club doesn't need less Uli Hoeneß, but more, highlighting the value they bring to Bayern Munich.
According to Lars Lunde, a former Danish international striker who played for Bayern Munich in the 1980s, the time when Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge bid their final farewell to the club may never arrive. Lunde believes their experience and intuition are invaluable assets for the club.
Lunde praises Hoeneß as a born leader who speaks his mind, sometimes leading to misunderstandings, but ultimately, his presence helps maintain a culture of debate within the club. “You can't buy the experience they have; it's worth its weight in gold for the club,” Lunde said, highlighting the significance of Hoeneß and Rummenigge's continued involvement with Bayern Munich.
“As long as they are alive, nothing happens in the club without their knowledge. You just have to accept that, and I think it's good because with their experience, it would be completely insane not to involve them in decisions.”
“You can't buy the experience they have; it's worth its weight in gold for the club. And I do not doubt at all that it is the two of them who make the final decisions, even if on paper they may have more peripheral roles in the club. Experience and club spirit, that's the best thing for a club. Hoeness and “Rumme” have extensive football experience and are skilled businessmen, a combination that is very rare to find,” says Lunde.
According to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern Munich's former CEO and current supervisory board member, the club has a unique “Bavarian culture of conflict” that allows for direct and honest discussion. Rummenigge believes this approach is beneficial for the club, citing his own experiences with Uli Hoeneß, where disagreements were common but ultimately led to positive outcomes. This culture of direct conflict is seen as a strength, setting Bayern apart from other clubs and organizations.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeneß have fostered a unique culture of direct and honest conflict at Bayern Munich, which is uncommon in German culture. According to Rummenigge, Germans often shy away from confrontation, instead using criticism to target individuals. In contrast, Hoeneß and Rummenigge's approach involves tackling issues head-on, even if it leads to heated debates.
This direct approach has been both praised and criticized. Some view it as a strength, allowing the club to tackle problems efficiently, while others see it as a relic of the past, incompatible with modern business practices. Former Bayern striker Lars Lunde defends Hoeneß, saying he's often misunderstood and that his straightforward nature is essential for a club like Bayern.
Rummenigge emphasizes the value of their experience and approach, stating that Bayern doesn't need less Uli Hoeneß, but more. He believes Hoeneß's directness is a valuable asset, even if it sometimes sparks controversy.
— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) October 22, 2025
“Harmony is always good. But a culture of debate is an important asset. When I argued with Uli, one time even the carpenter had to come and reinstall the door frame,” Rummenigge said once in an interview with “Die Welt.” The very direct approach from Rummenigge and Hoeness has often led to people criticising the pair for being “dinosaurs” in a business world where more diplomatic skills are needed, but Lars Lunde feels that Hoeness, in particular, is often misunderstood.
Lars Lunde, a former Bayern striker, praises Uli Hoeneß's leadership style, saying, “Hoeneß always speaks his mind even if it is inconvenient, he says what others think but don't say, and that is essential for a club like Bayern that you have a born leader.” Lunde believes the media often misrepresents Hoeneß's words, making him seem harsher than he truly is. In reality, Hoeneß is a warm and helpful person who would go out of his way to assist others, as evidenced by his willingness to offer advice to former players.
The question remains whether anyone possesses the necessary football expertise and business acumen to succeed Rummenigge and Hoeneß at Bayern when they're no longer involved. Lunde notes that Hoeneß's interactions with him often extend beyond football, showcasing his genuine interest in people's lives. Historically, Bayern has looked to former players to take on key roles, as seen with Oliver Kahn. However, doubts linger about who could potentially fill the shoes of these two legends.
“There is no question that Lothar Matthaus will never be in line for a position; he has simply said too many unwise things about Bayern in the past. I can potentially see Bastian Schweinsteiger take over or Thomas Müller when his career is finished.
“Perhaps also Phillip Lahm, but I believe more in the other two.. However, they must make it clear that it is a 24-hour job and it's a totally different ballgame than being a player, and it is, of course, a big question whether they would be able to settle into that role,” ends Lunde.
Bayern Munich hosts Club Brugge at the Allianz Stadium in Munich tonight at 21:00 CET, with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeneß expected to be in attendance, cheering on their beloved club.
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