He is a true all-rounder: goal-getter, joker and – at least since Saturday evening – party animal. Thomas Müller entered the stage with his mate Philipp Lahm, displaying sensational dance moves during OneRepublic's live performance at prestigious Munich venue Postpalast. The dance floor was open! Robert Lewandowski, Arjen Robben, Rafinha and Co did not take long to join in: the championship party was in full swing.
The Bayern stars had dined with around 300 guests, drinking to the historic 26th championship title in a relaxed atmosphere. “We can be proud of our FC Bayern. It's a wonderful day we're experiencing today,” Karl-Heinz Rummenigge summarised: “I'd like to expressly thank the team. We have a great team, both on and off the pitch. They're a perfect match. It's no coincidence that they keep going and never ease back.”
Rummenigge stressed once more that the club's successes are not a matter of course. “It isn't normal to be German champions four times in a row. It isn't normal to contest the DFB Cup final next week. And it isn't normal to advance to the Champions League semi-finals five times in a row.” He was impressed by the congratulatory letter from the German FA (DFB) he received last week, which said that it would only be in a few years that the footballing family realise “how much FC Bayern spearheaded, developed and shaped German football in these years.”
Thanks to Pep, praise for Neuer and Lewy
Rummenigge thanked Guardiola, who played a major role in this development, from all his heart. “Pep, I can only tell you one thing: you'll leave FC Bayern as a friend, and you'll always remain a friend of FC Bayern. I promise you that.” Guardiola, sitting at the table with his family, was visibly moved. The guests stood up and applauded. “We've had three outstanding years together. I've never seen a coach running a team with such intensity and quality,” added Rummenigge: “Our captain Philipp used to tell me, 'Pep expects a lot, but he also supports us every day.' Thank you for everything, Pep!”
Naturally, the gathering at the Postpalast did not only honour the men, but also the FC Bayern women who won the German championship for the second time in a row. Special praise went to Manuel Neuer and Robert Lewandowski. The World's Best Goalkeeper set a new record with only 17 goals conceded in a Bundesliga season. “It's fantastic,” commented Rummenigge. Being a former world-class forward himself, the FCB chairman was impressed by Lewandowski's milestone. He had told the Poland international before the match against Hannover, 'Make it 30 today! It's an outstanding number. We're very, very happy to have you here.'
Illustrious guests were present: DFB President Reinhard Grindel, DFL President Reinhard Rauball, DFL CEO Christian Seifert and the FC Bayern legends who had represented the 25 championship titles at the Allianz Arena in the afternoon. They all enjoyed a wonderful evening with the Bayern family.
If all goes according to plan, another great evening will follow in Berlin next weekend. The season is not over yet as the Bavarians aim to wrap up the double in the cup final against Borussia Dortmund. “We'll be up against opponents who've challenged us this term and who deserve respect. We'll have to turn in a good display,” said Rummenigge, “but I'm convinced that our quality is high enough. It's going to be a highlight for the whole German footballing family.”
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