Rummenigge: We’ve come at a good time
The FC Bayern players and coaches are not the only busy people in China. The board members also have a full schedule, including meetings with sponsors and the media. Club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge spoke about the importance of China for the club and the sport of football, as well as the difficult task for the team.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on...
...the China tour: "Our tour carries the title *Visiting friends.*We're here to visit friends and promote football, German football and FC Bayern Munich."
...the importance of China:"China is probably the most important market for the German economy. The nation's importance for football is also growing. It's the largest country in the world with an extremely high potential. We're interested in this growth and plan to visit regularly. We believe that we can help football here and hope that our many Chinese fans, an estimated 90 million, will buy plenty of shirts."
...football in China:"In 2017 there will be a political initiative to push football forwards. We've come at a good time."
..the team's job in China:"It's a difficult task for the coaches and the team. On the one hand we're here to prepare for the Bundesliga, so the team has to become fit -- both tactically and physically. On the other hand, we're also here for marketing reasons. However I don't think it's a problem. The team and coaches have been doing a fantastic job."