Jan-Christian Dreesen: "Everyone needs to feel this trust"

Jan-Christian Dreesen (55) has been doing an outstanding job for FC Bayern for 10 years, and now he is the new CEO. In our interview, he explains what togetherness means to him, how important the fans are for the club and why emotions on the pitch remain invaluable.

Interview with Jan-Christian Dreesen

Herr Dreesen, now you've had time to take it all in - how was the season finale for you? The FC Bayern men's and women's teams became Bundesliga champions on the final matchday and the supervisory board appointed you as the new CEO …
"I was especially pleased for the whole Bayern family that we were able to celebrate these two title wins on the last matchday. Our players are the ones in the spotlight - but they can only shine like they do because the team behind the team functions. I'm now looking forward to the new job as CEO. Our men and women have become champions and that's something we'd like to continue. We will all work together to achieve that."

You'd actually planned to seek out new challenges this summer away from FC Bayern.
"Yes, but if it's something dear to your heart, you don't mind changing your plans. And that's what FC Bayern is for me. I would like to thank the supervisory board for their trust. When I was allowed to succeed Karl Hopfner on the board 10 years ago, it was one of the best decisions of my life. And now it's an advantage that it's not all uncharted territory for me. I know the structures and I know about the positive power that this club can develop."

What is important to you in your new role?
"Togetherness. With one another and for one another. Living the values that have always distinguished FC Bayern. Loyalty, harmony and a marked sense of 'we'. For me, that's the much quoted 'Mia san mia'. We have to take everyone with us on this journey. First and foremost the team, because the sport is the foundation, but, equally, our staff and the fans. This club has always distinguished itself by its family-like atmosphere, and everyone has to feel this trust, not least the players."

You prefer to work in the background. How important are titles to you personally?
"I have, for instance, been able to be part of two treble triumphs so far - and interestingly enough, I have two completely different memories of them. In 2013, I'd only been at FC Bayern for six months, everything was very fresh and exciting, and I experienced what it's all like for the first time. You never forget something like that. But in 2020 it was a much more profound experience. On the one hand, because of COVID-19, but above all because I had become aware that titles like these are always an affirmation and reward for the path this club has been taking for years. It only works together, as a team."

And that's just how it is, it's on the pitch that it matters...
"Yes, because everything we strive for off the pitch as a club can only serve one purpose, which is to succeed on the pitch. I keep saying that we strive for financial soundness with maximum sporting success. The message is that we want to win as many titles as possible on the pitch, but never lose the ability to operate rationally in the process."

Can sporting success be planned?
"(thinks) Yes and no. Especially in the season that's just finished, we've seen that lots of factors and nuances play a role in sport. They can't all be planned, because that would take away the emotionality that football thrives on. But I know that here at FC Bayern everyone, really all the employees, give their best every day so we can celebrate the greatest possible success."

What does it mean to you that the Allianz Arena has again always been filled to capacity since the pandemic?
"When I look at pictures of the Allianz Arena, the first thing I have to say is that the stadium has been standing for almost 20 years now, but it's still beautiful and still modern, even though the world has changed a lot. From a financial planning point of view, it's terrific that you can always count on it being sold out. Even though ticket revenues are not as important today as they were 30 or 40 years ago, it gives us a solid foundation - and every single arena visitor contributes to our financial stability. But the emotional aspect is more important to me."

Why is having discussions with the fans so important to you? For years, you've also been a regular participant in the fan dialogue working group meetings.
"I used to be a fan myself, and didn't sit in any executive boxes, but went to the stadium in the normal way. My seat has changed in the meantime, but I'm still a fan. Along with our team and our staff, the fans are the most important thing we have at FC Bayern. Because we play for our fans, who identify with the club, our team and our values. I think it's important to listen and take suggestions seriously. It's okay to offer a rebuttal if you have a different opinion - but it has to be constructive. I think we've achieved a lot together in the past 10 years, especially when it comes to the atmosphere and cooperation with the Südkurve."

What does home mean to you?
"For me, home is a place where I can recharge my batteries and which gives me a sense of security. When I'm home and feel at home, then I feel stronger and have more energy and also confidence."

Is Bavaria home?
"Yes, for me, Bavaria has become my home. Before joining FC Bayern, I worked in different cities. Munich is completely different, you have a completely different self-image here. People work hard here, but they also enjoy it. The 'live and let live' attitude is more distinct."

When you present the balance sheets at the annual general meeting, you always give the impression of being someone who enjoys explaining a dull subject to the members.
"It's always a special day for me, almost a celebration, and frankly I was still nervous doing it for the 10th time. My goal is always to present something that's supposedly dull in an interesting way, with commitment and passion. After all, I want our members to understand what it's all about and not feel they have to go outside for a sausage sandwich during my talk. We have this direct dialogue with the members once a year, and I feel that an open, transparent and sometimes controversial discussion is part of having a vibrant club life."

Which transfer was your favourite in these 10years?
"(thinks) Xabi Alonso's one was unbelievably exciting. I was one of the delegation that flew to Spain and we couldn't come to an agreement with Real at first. After we returned, I suddenly got a call from Madrid at 1.30 in the morning saying we had the thumbs up after all. Xabi came to Munich the next morning for his medical, and while he was lying on Dr Müller-Wohlfahrt's couch being examined, I was standing next to him with the contract file so he could sign it. He then flew back to Spain to say goodbye to the fans, returned to Munich and immediately made his first appearance for us at Schalke - as if he had been with us for years."

We spoke at the beginning about your joy at winning titles. Do you actually do the maths at times like those. What has this trophy cost - and what will it generate?
"(laughs) No, you can't and shouldn't start calculating at a time like that. You would have to include the whole journey to a title win and not just the one game, and if you were to start breaking something like that down, we would really no longer be talking about football and sport first and foremost. The fact is that everything that happens on the pitch in terms of emotion and identification is ultimately invaluable."

© Photos: Dirk Bruniecki

For the first time, FC Bayern invited members to a statutes forum ahead of the annual general meeting, and the discussions were as passionate as they were objective: