Oliver Kahn began his speech at the 2022 annual general meeting with a look back at 9 April 2022, a particularly memorable occasion for the FC Bayern München AG CEO. That was the day that FC Bayern played in front of a capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena for the first time again without COVID-19 restrictions, winning 1-0 against Augsburg in the Bundesliga.
Applause for record run
Germany’s most decorated club crowned last season with their 10th league title in a row. "No club in one of the top five European leagues has ever achieved that," Kahn emphasised. The members present at the Audi Dome in Munich subsequently honoured the record run with thunderous applause.
“We’ll find a solution for FC Bayern”
The 53-year-old, who has been CEO of the AG since 1 July 2021, then addressed a topic that he said had "occupied him for a long time", being last year's annual general meeting. "Some fans - and I respect that - are very critical of the cooperation with Qatar Airways. That's why we have met with committed members several times since the AGM and exchanged views. Next meetings have already been arranged. We remain in dialogue. And that is very important to me.“
Following a summary of the round table held on the subject of Qatar at the Allianz Arena in July 2022, Kahn concluded: "We will continue to discuss the subject intensively with our partner Qatar Airways after the World Cup. We will weigh everything up and we will find a solution for FC Bayern."
Kahn then continued with the "most important" topic of sport. While the men’s first team is on course in the Champions League, "we can't be satisfied with the current Bundesliga season so far." The goal conceded against Borussia Dortmund in the 94th minute was "a call to every single player to now develop the greed again that it takes for us to become champions again this season." The goal is to win the Bundesliga for an 11th straight year.
More than just the much-cited fixed deposit account
To make this endeavour a reality, FC Bayern achieved numerous successes on the transfer market in the summer. "Many thanks to our board member for sport Hasan Salihamidzic and his team for their excellent work in the transfer window just gone," commented Kahn, who expressed his gratitude to the departed Robert Lewandowski, Niklas Süle and Corentin Tolisso.
In terms of incoming players, the CEO welcomed Sadio Mane ("It's great how he has committed himself to FC Bayern"), Matthijs de Ligt ("A player that just about every top club in Europe wanted to sign"), Noussair Mazraoui, Ryan Gravenberch and Mathys Tel. Kahn added, "We have a strong, internationally competitive squad that is the envy of many in Europe". FC Bayern is more than just the much-cited fixed deposit account.”
Kahn also thanked FC Bayern's partners, without whom top-class sport would not be possible, and singled out in particular main and jersey sponsor Deutsche Telekom, with whom the agreement was extended until 2027. The 20-year cooperation is a "world record in jersey sponsoring".
Kahn praises FC Bayern Women
With the words "The way you represented FC Bayern is worthy of applause!" Kahn praised the 14 FC Bayern Women's players who thrilled at the European Championship in England. The CEO singled out England's European champion Georgia Stanway and the six German runners-up Lina Magull, Linda Dallmann, Giulia Gwinn, Sydney Lohmann, Lea Schüller and Klara Bühl.
Towards the end of his remarks, Kahn called for the re-election of president Herbert Hainer. "His experience, his competence, his network, his dedication, and above all his love and commitment to FC Bayern make him an outstanding president and chairman of the supervisory board." The 53-year-old also thanked his fellow board members Jan-Christian Dreesen, Andreas Jung and Salihamidzic "for the good and trusting cooperation".
Thanks to finance director Dreesen
Board member for finance Dreesen will leave FC Bayern next summer. Kahn said: "You have done an outstanding job in your 10 years as CFO and vice-chairman of the board. It was an enormously successful time for our club. Many thanks for that."
Kahn concluded by thanking the staff, fans and members of FC Bayern: “Thank you for being the backbone and the strength of our club!”
Read president Herbert Hainer’s speech here:
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