(Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
For many foreign fans watching German football, there is but one club that catches the attention—Bayern Munich.
In a distinguished history, the Bavarian giants have won an incredible 52 major trophies, including four European Cup titles. Like any club, there have been ups and downs, but nevertheless it has remained at the forefront of European football for the best part of 40 years.
If fans were asked to associate one individual with the club, arguably only one name would attract nominations—Franz Beckenbauer.
Der Kaiser—a World Cup winner with West Germany in 1974—captained the club to three of its European successes in the 1970s, and led the club to many triumphs in two spells as manager. Now club president at the Allianz Arena, the former sweeper has become synonymous with Bayern in a way few other men in world football are.
As the 2008-09 season draws nearer to its conclusion, however, those nearest and dearest to the club are starting to fear life after the departure of arguably the club’s most important servant. Having been instrumental in everything the club has done in recent decades, many are concerned the club will inevitably suffer in his absence next season.
But it is not Beckenbauer's departure that is being feared.
No, it is the club’s general manager, Uli Hoeness, who has fans worried as he hands over the keys after nearly 30 years in charge of the club. The former West German international—he won the European Cup (with Bayern) and World Cup in 1974—joined the club as general manager in 1979 after injury forced him to retire as a player.
Just 27, he turned what was initially an ill-defined role into one of the most powerful positions in world football, and in the process turned a successful but debt-ridden club into one of huge financial and footballing might.
“Uli has been a rock for this club,” admitted Beckenbauer, when talking about Hoeness’ impending departure earlier this season. “He has tied together all the strings, he has been our anchor. He will be a tough act to follow.”
It was Beckenbauer’s return to the club—initially as director, then president—that brought Bayern the respect, authority, and publicity that eventually enabled it to become one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
But it was Hoeness that negotiated his former teammate’s arrival.
It was Hoeness who ensured that the club’s books were always balanced, and Hoeness who orchestrated the club’s pursuit of the country’s—and the world’s—very best players.
It was Hoeness who hired managers—and fired them. Ottmar Hitzfield, Giovanni Trappatoni, Jupp Heynckes, Jurgen Klinsmann—all have had to bow to Hoeness’ will, whether they liked it or not.
Ultimately, it has been Hoeness who has overseen Bayern’s emergence as a club of huge regional significance—an organisation that represents and emboldens Bavaria in a similar way to Barcelona and Catalonia, or AC Milan and north Italy.
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