‘We’re happy and proud’

FC Bayern are champions of Germany – for the 24th time in the club’s history. “Congratulations to everyone on this massive season,” commented Pep Guardiola, “many, many thanks to the club for the opportunity to be here and coach these outstanding players.” Manuel Neuer declared himself “happy and proud,” while Hertha boss Jos Luhukay and other leading Bundesliga figures paid tribute to FCB’s amazing achievement.

Reaction to the 2014 title triumph

Matthias Sammer: “First and foremost, all due credit to the coach and the team. After the previous successful season we set about our work with great determination and we’ve won the title even earlier than last year. We’re happy. We have unbelievable focus and momentum at the moment. We created a foundation last year based on strong characters. We’ve adjusted things where necessary and continued our development.”

Pep Guardiola: “I’m pleased we’ve done it. Another trophy for this club is important. Congratulations to everyone on this massive season. We’ll eat and celebrate together tonight. When you have a little time to spare you ought to enjoy it. Many, many thanks to the club for the opportunity to be here and coach these outstanding players. We played really, really well for 30 minutes, we were dynamic but kept it simple and used the whole of the pitch. We controlled the game but forgot to attack at times.”

Manuel Neuer: “It’s still a bit cold outdoors in March, but everyone can see we’re on fire and determined to win every match. We’re happy and proud, because it’s very special to be crowned champions at such an early stage. We’ve carried the momentum from winning the treble last summer with us since then. Nobody honestly thought it would just keep going so seamlessly.”

Jos Luhukay (Hertha BSC coach): “The way Pep has won the title with his team is truly impressive. What Bayern have done is unbelievable. Pep aims for perfection. In the first half-hour I thought they must be playing with one or two men more. We never got close to the ball. It’s so tough. They quickly made it two, and I was thinking: I hope it’s not a rout. Later on we even had a sniff of a sensation, an equaliser, but at 3-1 it was over.”

Joachim Löw (Germany coach): “It’s an unbelievable achievement to wrap up the title at such an early stage. Congratulations to all those responsible at the club, to FC Bayern, and above all to coach Pep Guardiola! He’s brought the team on even further than before, and you can see his influence in terms of dominance and possession. I’m naturally delighted for our national team players at Bayern. The title will give them a real boost. We have another major shared target this year. Bayern have every chance of repeating the triumph of last year.”

Oliver Bierhoff (Germany team manager): “Warm congratulations to everyone responsible at Bayern for this masterful achievement. FC Bayern is a leading brand with huge levels of awareness all over the world, and not only because of their footballing achievements. I hope Bayern can continue their superb level of performance here and on the European stage. Success never comes automatically, it’s the result of disciplined hard work.”

Wolfgang Niersbach (DFB President): “Hardly anyone, myself included, would have believed in an extraordinary runaway success of this nature in what is now 51 years of the Bundesliga. It’s compelling evidence for the astonishing standards maintained by FC Bayern, a joint effort by the board, the coach and the team. My warmest congratulations to FC Bayern Munich on winning the German championship.”

Jürgen Klopp (Borussia Dortmund coach): “It’s so impressive. You have to tip your hat to Bayern’s consistency on the field of play and their absolute desire.”