Jan-Christian Dreesen put on a short but warm smile at the beginning of his speech at FC Bayern's Annual General Meeting: "Nice we can greet from the top of the table, unlike last year," the FC Bayern CEO said with regard to the situation in the table. FCB extended their lead in the Bundesliga to six points when they beat Heidenheim 4-2 on Saturday.
Dreesen: We're the team everyone wants to beat again
"We weren't satisfied with last season," said Dreesen. But Bayern's reaction demonstrated the consistency Dreesen views as the foundation for the outstanding successes in the club's history. "FC Bayern knows how to overcome such situations. After we were eliminated in Madrid, I called it the Mia-san-mia reflex. We've turned the tide. We came back stronger. We're the team everyone wants to beat again," the 57-year-old stressed.
Praise for Kompany
The CEO stressed the role of new head coach Vincent Kompany: "Vincent showed us how important passion and meticulousness are. He embodied identity and mentality from day one and communicated his clear vision to the team."
Champions League final in Munich and Club World Cup
Dreesen looked ahead to the Champions League final at the Allianz Arena on 31 May 2025: "It must be our goal to be part of the final at our stadium. And this time we won't call it Finale dahoam but Titel dahoam!" The CEO also talked about the FIFA Club World Cup next summer. "We want to go far there too," said Dreesen, who appealed to the world governing body: "I expect FIFA to increase the speed in terms of marketing. Not only are the clubs the backbone of the national teams, they're also the foundation and the lynchpin of this World Cup, so the competition must be profitable for them."
Grateful for board's trust
The 57-year-old personally thanked the supervisory board. FC Bayern had extended the contract with Dreesen until 30 June 2027 in mid-November, when the supervisory board unanimously passed a motion to this effect. "I carry FC Bayern in my heart – for life," stressed Dreesen.
Beckenbauer's values must be preserved
Consistency has been key to FC Bayern's success, which should be the plan for the future too, according to Dreesen. It is connected to Franz Beckenbauer, who had passed away in January. "We had a personal guiding star that accompanied us for all those years." Beckenbauer's death is "an immeasurable loss. Franz has given this club its identity. A role model for us all in terms of character and mentality. Those are the roots of this club, which Franz boosted. Character, identity, mentality. These are the values we must preserve."
Standing together as society
Dreesen stressed the club's social responsibility. The challenges during these turbulent times "concern us as a football club, as a family. In these times of divisiveness, uncertainty and concerns about the future it is all the more important that we stand together as society," said the 57-year-old. The club wants to continue to be a club that is home to all people and "moves with the times without forgetting its tradition."
Message to Mala Grohs, congratulations to FC Bayern Women
Dreesen had a special message for Maria Luisa Grohs. The FCB Women keeper has been diagnosed with a malignant tumour. "Mala, we stand by you, we want to support you and do everything so that you recover soon", said Dreesen. FC Bayern are particularly proud of the Women's achievements. Alexander Straus' team won the Bundesliga again this summer. "It was the third championship in four years and the first title defence."
Potential in international marketing
The greatest potential both for the club and the Bundesliga is in international marketing, the CEO stressed: "All Bundesliga clubs must do more to be more present outside of Germany." FC Bayern is the driving force of the Bundesliga and continues to stand by the league's principle of solidarity. Dreesen emphasised: "Solidarity mustn't mean that the strong clubs are held up. Solidarity means justice. We demand that our achievements be rewarded when it comes to the distribution of TV revenue."
Unique characteristic of FC Bayern
The CEO stressed one of FC Bayern's unique characteristics with regard to the domestic and international competition. The club "isn't owned by a state or a company" and "isn't burdened by high debt, and we're very, very proud of that."
Dreesen concluded his speech by promising he would fight for consistency at FC Bayern: "For one another, with one another. So that we won't lose our roots, continue to be a leader on a global scale, come up with new ideas, grow, take responsibility for people and the environment and so that financial solidarity and success in sport continue to go hand in hand. In a nutshell: so that FC Bayern remains what it is."
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