There was a big surprise for Bayern club president Uli Hoeneß at the end of his press conference on Friday, when Karl-Heinz Rummenigge entered the podium in the Allianz Arena press room and presented his long-time companion with a framed collage of shirts and photos. “I want to take the opportunity to thank Uli Hoeneß,” stated Rummenigge. “It’s not his last day today, and it will never be his last day.”
The chairman then explained the reason for his surprise appearance. “We’re celebrating a little anniversary: it’s almost 45 years to the day since I came to FC Bayern as a young lad.” Rummenigge then recalled how he was placed in a double room with Hoeneß by then manager Robert Schwan. “I learned a tremendous amount: on the pitch as a player, and then off it as we worked together in management.”
Rummenigge finished with some heartfelt words for his colleague: “I just want to thank you for these 45 years. We’ve had differences of opinion at times, but I think we’ve both always lived according to the quote from Winston Churchill: ‘If two people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary.’ I think neither of us ever wanted to be unnecessary. I thank you from the bottom of my heart and wish you all the best for the future.”
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