© FC Bayern
Even the city of Munich appeared to wake up a little hungover from the previous night’s party on Sunday morning. After the end-of-season celebration in Freimann, where the men's and women's teams, their coaches and officials had celebrated with invited guests until the early hours of the morning, a heavy, grey cloud cover hung over the city. There was even the odd drop of rain in the Bavarian state capital, the centre of which was soon to stage the big climax of the title celebrations. “Hopefully it’ll be a nice, sunny day – then we’ll have a good time together,” Bundesliga top goalscorer Harry Kane said after the 4-0 win at TSG Hoffenheim on the final day. In the morning however, it looked like the fans heading to the Town Hall balcony to celebrate in the afternoon would need to pack their raincoats.
Sun shines out of red and white hearts
However, when the team buses arrived in the heart of the city – the women from the FC Bayern Campus in the north, the men from Säbener Straße in the south – the grey had already disappeared from the sky. As the teams reached Marienplatz, walking up the stony steps towards the balcony, the beaming sunshine suddenly dispersed the remaining clouds. The sun was now shining in all its glory as stadium announcer Stephan Lehmann called the women’s team out to proudly present the Meisterschale and DFB Cup trophy for the first double in the club’s history.
Bianca Rech, director of women’s football at FC Bayern, found probably the best words straight away for everything they’d achieved together and were now enjoying with their supporters: "It's incredible to see so many fans celebrating us. You can't do it without the fans - so it's even better that they're all here today. The journey we started three years ago is more than just what we show on the football pitch. It's more about what happens off the pitch, the understanding and trust we have for each other. We’ve created a very special culture."
‘We’ve created a special culture’
Konrad Laimer, hiding his tired eyes from the previous night behind dark sunglasses, also spoke of a special culture: “It’s always difficult to pick out one single moment. You could tell right from the start that we all want to be successful together. We’re on a very good path and can do even better. I’m looking forward to the coming years and everything that comes.”
© Imago
Lehmann then called the men’s onto the balcony above their fans. Thousands stood there forming a sea of happiness in red and white with their shirts, scarves, hats and flags. Captain Manuel Neuer was the first to appear carrying the Meisterschale. All his team-mates followed, from Musiala to Kimmich, Goretzka to Olise, Upamecano to Müller. Even Alphonso Davies didn’t miss the opportunity to wave and punch his fists to the joyful fans, despite his knee brace.
"It's incredible and I'm delighted for the fans and for the city,” declared head coach Vincent Kompany, who like women’s boss Alexander Straus got a particularly loud cheer. “The season was fun, the lads gave their all, the energy was good - that's a good basis for next season,” added Kompany. The players struck up numerous party anthems with their delighted supporters, with Kane doing a duet with his fellow England international on the women’s side Georgia Stanway, before both teams linked up and danced the polonaise over the balcony. Even the executives and board got involved.
Pictures that show how unique FC Bayern is
“The Allianz Arena is our living room, the Town Hall and the balcony have become our party room,” said president Herbert Hainer on the welcome from mayor Dieter Reiter. “The pictures go around the world and show how unique and great FC Bayern is.” The mayor acknowledged that hosting FC Bayern is one of his absolute favourite engagements as chief of the city. "It's a huge pleasure for me to have the men’s and women’s teams here,” said Reiter. “We have three titles to celebrate today - unbelievable, dear fans. This also clarifies which team is number one in Germany, there are no two ways about it. I congratulate you!”
© FC Bayern
Giulia Gwinn was also beaming like the sun and everyone on the balcony. “We’ve made history this year, which we’ve realised again in another way today,” commented the German international. Laimer added that these occasions are the memorable reward for the long months of hard work. And so this afternoon had almost nothing heavy, nothing depressing about it – if someone hadn't stood up there on the balcony with FC Bayern for the 13th and very last time.
But, just as was the case in his last match at Hoffenheim and his last home game at the Allianz Arena, Thomas Müller didn’t want to allow any sadness at his departure in the summer. "I'm grateful that I've been able to be your guest so many times,” he said towards the mayor. “There's a reason for that too: we've always won something, otherwise we wouldn't have been invited.” Müller then called on the fans on Marienplatz to continue cheering on their team, even without him. “I want to thank you for all the wonderful years,” he began. “I hope you continue to support the team and the club, everyone puts their heart into it – the women as well as the men. In both teams we have young and dynamic blood, players who know what FCB means to the people and the city, so merci, servus and bye-bye!“
Forever forward, FC Bayern!
The event finished with the gift that the Südkurve gave the club for its 125th birthday. Scarves were lifted aloft and waved, almost like a response to what their number 25 had just asked for. “Forever forward, FC Bayern” they now sang in the Munich sunshine, so that they can all celebrate together there again next year.
All the reaction from the title celebrations on Marienplatz:
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