Coach Niko Kovac talks about “difficult conditions” in the preparation, but Karl-Heinz Rummenigge doesn’t want to know anything about it. “There is no alternative to these trips”, the CEO of Bayern Munich told the sid, “I don’t see the preparation burdened in any way. On the contrary, our players like such trips.”
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FC Bayern also had to present itself as a “global brand” in the USA and, as in the past, in the Far East.
“These are markets that are already important and are becoming even more important,” emphasizes Rummenigge: “Growth markets are exclusive in America and Asia, especially in China. We have to show ourselves.” The US tour, which starts on Monday and lasts ten days, is “top organized”, there can be no question of a strain.
Rummenigge also rejects the concern once expressed by President Uli Hoeneß that Munich could lose a home for every new fan overseas. “The balancing act isn’t that difficult,” he says.
Fans in Germany would have “total understanding” for the activities, which would also be in the interest of domestic and foreign sponsors. “Our slogan ‘At home in Bavaria, at home in the world’ is still valid”, Rummenigge adds: “We are even gaining fans all over the world”.
But Kovac is not a fan of the trip. Twelve hours flight to Los Angeles, nine hours time difference, little time for training and partly brooding heat in the venues Carson, Houston and Kansas City – this is anything but optimal. “It will certainly be an exciting journey,” says Thomas Müller, “but we’ll also have to try to get some units in there.”
Kovac strives for “optimal training control”. In view of the test matches against FC Arsenal (18 July, 5 a.m. live on DAZN), Real Madrid (21 July, 2 a.m. live on DAZN) and AC Milan (24 July, 3 a.m. live on DAZN), he stresses: “The results are secondary.” In order not to burden the 17 professionals around captain Manuel Neuer too much, Kovac takes eight U19 players with him. Record purchase Lucas Hernandez continues his rehabilitation program in Munich.
Under the motto “Visiting Friends”, his colleagues in America also have a full programme off the lawn. In addition to various marketing appointments and an excursion to the NASA Space Center in Houston, a visit to the Holocaust Museum in LA is planned. The record champion opens an exhibition on his long-time president Kurt Landauer.
“FC Bayern stands against racism, against violence – for openness, for tolerance,” says Rummenigge, “we want to speak plainly here. We are a cosmopolitan club. It is our task to stand up for these values.” Anywhere in the world.
A burden or a welcome change – planning for the next longer trip in summer 2020 is already underway. After two years in the USA, she will “probably go back to China,” says Rummenigge.
