What a great evening for FC Bayern! One day after triumphing in the DFL Supercup and winning the fifth title of a historic 2020, the record champions also dominated at the UEFA award ceremonies. With Robert Lewandowski and Hansi Flick, the Munich side is home to both Europe's player and coach of the year. Manuel Neuer (goalkeeper), Joshua Kimmich (defender) and Lewandowski (striker) also received their respective position awards. "It’s been a historic evening for FC Bayern," said CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. fcbayern.com has summarised the reaction to the awards.
Reaction to the UEFA awards
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge: "It’s been a historic evening for FC Bayern. Manuel Neuer has been named the best goalkeeper in Europe, Joshua Kimmich the best defender and Robert Lewandowski the best striker. To top it off, Robert Lewandowski has been honoured as 'European Footballer of the Year' and Hansi Flick as 'European Coach of the Year'. Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Thiago and Joshua Kimmich were also in the top ten best footballers on the continent. All of this is clear evidence of the great achievements made by our team and coaching staff. FC Bayern are currently experiencing unprecedented times that are second to none. Our club has earned its place on Europe's throne through top performances in recent months. I would like to congratulate our players and the coaching staff on their work and success. The club and the fans, we're proud and happy."
Herbert Hainer on Hansi Flick
Herbert Hainer: "We’re proud and happy that Hansi Flick has been named 'European Coach of the Year'. He is a great asset for FC Bayern not just because of his success on the football field, but also because of his human qualities. Hansi has led the club to the second treble in its history but remains humble and is working meticulously on future successes. We’re sure that under his leadership we will continue to offer our fans beautiful and successful football in the future."
Herbert Hainer on Robert Lewandowski
Herbert Hainer: "Robert Lewandowski is all about goals and spectacle – the things that, ultimately, excite fans so much about this sport. In my eyes he has long been the best centre forward in Europe, he more than deserves this award. We at FC Bayern are proud he is part of our great team. He is one of the most important players in club history. In my opinion, we could have had two European Footballers of the Year at FC Bayern this year: Manuel Neuer would have more than deserved the award too. His performance should be rated just as highly as that of Robert Lewandowski."
Hasan Salihamidžić on Robert Lewandowski
Hasan Salihamidžić: "There’s basically only one way to describe Robert: world-class. And this year 2020 he was the best of all the world-class players in international football. He won every title and dominated every competition with his goals. He has gained even more quality by feeding off his teammates and working for the team in the coach’s system. The title of European Footballer of the Year is very much deserved. I'm very happy for him, but also for FC Bayern, because 13 months ago when we renewed his contract, we told him he could win everything with us.“
Hasan Salihamidžić on Hansi Flick
Hasan Salihamidžić: "Hansi Flick and his coaching team did a spectacular, flawless, and record-breaking job under difficult conditions in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and in the Champions League, which has been rightly honoured. I’m delighted Hansi is getting the recognition he deserves."
Hasan Salihamidžić on Manuel Neuer
Hasan Salihamidžić: "Manuel played consistently at a world class level throughout the season, and he was an important performer in the big games. Manuel therefore played a considerable part in our treble, and he has deservedly won the award for best goalkeeper in Europe. We have always known how important Manuel is for the club and our team, even when he was injured. I'm delighted we've been able to extend his contract until 2023."
Hasan Salihamidžić on Joshua Kimmich
Hasan Salihamidžić: "Joshua is an energy field. He has a big influence on our team spirit. He has become a leading player at FC Bayern, thanks to his performances on the pitch, but also because of his personality. Joshua is a spokesman for his generation, which is increasingly shaping FC Bayern and the national team. His versatility is so admirable because he can be considered world class in both positions he plays with us."
Hansi Flick on Robert Lewandowski
Hansi Flick: "Robert Lewandowski deserves to be named European Footballer of the Year. Not just because of his goals, but because of his whole method of interpreting the role of a striker, he set new standards in our treble-winning season. It’s great he’s now receiving the appreciation he’s deserved for a long time. Manuel Neuer would have been a worthy winner as well, because he too did an incredible job. Overall, we're more than happy with our performance as a team: Manuel is one of the three best players in Europe, and Thomas Müller, Thiago and Joshua Kimmich made it into the top 10. That shows how well our team has worked together this season."
Manuel Neuer on Hansi Flick
Manuel Neuer: "The whole team are delighted our coach Hansi Flick has been named European Coach of the Year. He has earned this title because he has a very special way of leading players, not just professionally but also personally. Our fans love fun football - and it is coach Hansi Flick who provides this. Our goal is to continue to pursue this successful path together."
Manuel Neuer on Robert Lewandowski
Manuel Neuer: "We all wish Robert Lewandowski this title from the bottom of our hearts. As a team, for many years we’ve seen how hard he works on himself every day to meet the very highest standards. We’re happy for him and we're certain we'll celebrate many more successes together."
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