Herbert Hainer: The future always means FC Bayern Munich! | OneFootball

Herbert Hainer opened FC Bayern Munich’s 2023 annual general assembly on Sunday morning. The president began with a special greeting for the deaf fan club “Red Deaf” who were in attendance, thanking the members for the signs they recently developed for the German record champions’ men’s and women’s teams. “It’s a unique project: developed by FC Bayern fans for all football fans. No one should feel excluded at FC Bayern,” said Hainer. The whole hall applauded with the gesture for applause.

The president also welcomed the honorary guests including honorary president Uli Hoeneß, the honorary vice presidents, the board of FC Bayern Munich AG led by CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, first-team head coach Thomas Tuchel as well as players Jamal Musiala, Matthijs de Ligt and Raphaël Guerreiro, before turning to the members in the Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle.

Club’s social engagement

As well as an overview of sporting developments, his speech focused on the club’s social engagement. “Our world is not black and white – but it’s brightly lit. The challenges at a sports club are bigger than ever before. But FC Bayern should never shy away off the pitch, either. These days especially, identification is more than ever a key word,” said Hainer.

FC Bayern offers stability and home

In a society marked by uncertainty, fast pace and alienation, FC Bayern offers “stability and a home”, he described. “We welcomed our 300,000th member this year and boast the highest membership growth in the club’s history. We now stand at 316,000 members – an absolute record. That shows how many people seek stability at FC Bayern – and find it. 316,000 members can’t be wrong. A club stands for understanding, trust, reliability and responsibility.”

In the context of the club’s social responsibility, Hainer references the social media post by Noussair Mazraoui and highlighted former Jewish FCB president Kurt Landauer as a special role model for all generations: “He once returned to Germany to reach out the hand to people here. This unique figure is a perfect example of a conciliatory approach.”

Hainer: We take on responsibility

The 69-year-old also stressed: “FC Bayern wants peace for all people across the world, and not least in the Middle East and Ukraine. What we can do overall as a club is strengthening what unites us as people. Particularly in difficult times, we stay who we are - and uphold what we stand for. We take on responsibility.” As examples of that, Hainer named, among other things, the ‘OBACHT!’ awareness project, the ‘Red against Racism’ club initiative and the remembrance work with the FC Bayern Museum. On the subject of inclusion, the president also welcomed members of the Rollwagerl eV fan club, which celebrated its 30th birthday this year. "You encourage everyone not to hole up at home. You are an important part of our FC Bayern family!”

Dialogue with members

Hainer emphasized the importance of regular exchanges with members: "At FC Bayern, we have been writing the word dialogue in capital letters for a long time. Together with you, we have developed a series of dialogue formats to regularly discuss with you what is on your mind." In the past year, the record champions have implemented numerous formats, including regular members' tables, memorial days and workshops.

FC Bayern: A club that moves people

AG, Group and Basketball GmbH generate €882 million together

The club president was able to announce excellent financial results. "Financially, FC Bayern is once again in an outstanding position. This year, FC Bayern achieved a record total turnover of 882 million euros for the entire professional division of FC Bayern Munich, comprising the AG, Group and Basketball GmbH. As you can see, with figures like these, bring on the future – in football and in basketball," said Hainer.

In his sporting review of the past year, Hainer picked out Jamal Musiala as an example in particular. “We reflect on an eventful year at FC Bayern. Not everything has gone as we wanted, but Jamal was someone who never gave up. He kept trying again and again to get past opponents. And then, in the last minute of the league, he rewarded himself – and all of us!” praised Hainer, who hopes for the same Bayern mentality this season. “I think this story alone should once again make people aware that not every defeat should be turned into a crisis. That also goes for the cup defeat in Saarbrücken, as painful as it was.” The president then looked ahead: “Our aim for 2024 is clear: the 12th league title in a row. Twelve stands for you , dear members, for your support. This title would be for you even more than normal. Let’s keep making history together!”

Women’s championship & tribute to Karin Danner

Hainer was particularly delighted by the performances of the women’s team, who celebrated the club’s fifth championship in the summer. “That’s a great achievement, and now we’re leading the way again. The 2-1 win over Wolfsburg last week was an important step in keeping the trophy in Munich,” he added. The president also paid tribute to former head of women’s football Karin Danner: “Under her guidance, FC Bayern Women won promotion to the Bundesliga, have won five titles since, been runners-up six times, won the DFB Cup and are established in the Champions League. From a strategist on the pitch to a pioneer and visionary: she can be proud of her life’s work and is rightly called the Uli Hoeneß of FC Bayern Women,” lauded Hainer, presenting Danner with honorary membership.

A comeback like no other: the journey to the championship

Opening of SAP Garden

For the basketball team, who won the cup, there’s the opening of the SAP Garden next summer. “Remember what a quantum leap the move from the Olympiastadion to the Allianz Arena was – this new arena will be one of the most modern in the world. It will take basketball in Munich to a new level. We are looking forward to the future,” said Hainer, who also congratulated FC Bayern's three basketball world champions, Andreas Obst, Niels Giffey and Isaac Bonga.

Personnel changes in board and dugout

In addition, Hainer reflected on the personnel changes over the last year, thanking former CEO Oliver Kahn and former board member for sport Hasan Salihamidžić: “We sadly reached a point where we had to change something. FC Bayern has celebrated great successes with both, as players and as board members. It goes without saying that Oliver and Hasan remain FC Bayern icons.” Hainer also thanked ex-coach Julian Nagelsmann: “We wish him all the best with the national team. We’re all hoping for a EURO 2024 that lives up to World Cup 2006.”

In Dreesen, we have “a new CEO who knows FC Bayern better than anyone”, stressed Hainer. “He’s been making decisions on the board for over 10 years and is an asset to this club.” Hainer also welcomed new chief financial officer Dr. Michael Diederich along with new sporting director Christoph Freund, who together with academy director Jochen Sauer, will be responsible for bringing more talents through to the first team. “We need more statement players, made by Bayern, who make history with us,” emphasised Hainer.

Closing his speech, Hainer addressed the amendment to the articles of association. "Everyone agreed that they wanted to put these statutes to the vote in this form because they make our club more modern and progressive, and further strengthen the rights of the members." In general, the fans and members remain at the heart of FC Bayern. "Manuel Neuer keeps the ball out, Joshua Kimmich distributes the ball, Harry Kane scores the goals, Thomas Müller is simply Thomas Müller. But you, who are sitting here today, you are the heartbeat of our entire club. We don't need anyone who only knows how not to do it. We need you, who know exactly how to do it. Namely, always together – in the spirit of our FC Bayern Munich," said Hainer, who concluded with the words: "Let's always look to the future together with optimism. The future always means: FC Bayern Munich!"

FC Bayern presented its annual accounts at the AGM:

Michael Diederich: Record turnover in difficult economic times