Karl-Heinz Rummenigge will be 70: Only FC Bayern always

It is a well-rehearsed duo that has shaped FC Bayern Munich for decades: Uli Hoeneß (73) and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. While one is known for his temperament, the other embodies the calm, pragmatic side of the Bavarian club management. Rummenigge, who celebrates his 70th birthday on September 25th, was already well -behaved as a player, harmless and incredibly successful.

In 1974 the young striker from Lippstadt switched to FC Bayern Munich. At first not undisputed – even Franz Beckenbauer initially doubted the potential of the laked North Rhine -Westphalia. But Rummenigge was supposed to punish all critics: 162 goals in 310 games, twice Europe’s footballer of the year, World Cup winner, twice European Cup of national champions and two German champions and cup winners each. In 1984 he left Munich for a sensational transfer fee of eleven million marks towards Inter Milan – of all things this transfer amount should save the financially stricken association.

“Milan – Munich. This is not a distance. You can smell the roast pork,” he is said to have said before his emigration. Was it the Bavarian treats that lured him? After his career end at Servette Geneva, Rummenigge returned to Bavaria in 1991 as Vice President. What followed was an even more successful second career. In 2002 he became CEO of the newly founded FC Bayern Munich AG. Under its lead, the association won 14 championships, two Champions League victories and experienced absolute highlights with the Triples 2013 and 2020.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge became the architect of modern Bavaria. As the “Foreign Minister” of the club, he built up an international network and maintains close contacts with FIFA and UEFA. “He is as well networked as no other,” confirms Sky expert Didi Hamann instead of indulging in the emotions in football, tacts in the background with the finances and acts one sponsorship deal after the other as often undercooling “Killer-Kalle”. It was his ambition to “finance the whole shop”, as he once said. Of course, Hoeneß calls him if it gets dangerous at Bayern.

After two years of time out, Rummenigge therefore returned to the Supervisory Board in 2023. “If Uli Hoeneß the loyal dog eyes look at you, it is difficult to say no. I had to calm my wife a little. But she still understands” at the Spobis sports fair about his comeback.

Speaking of wife: While Rummenigge is loyal to his club, it didn’t always look like this in private life. He has been married to Martina since 1978, the couple has five children. In 2003, an affair with a much younger woman made headlines – but the marriage withstanded. “I know that my husband had a love relationship over a longer period of time that has now ended,” said Martina Rummenigge at the time, “we will not separate because of that.” The two can celebrate their golden wedding in three years.

Legally, Rummenigge did not remain very unborn. In 2013 he was fined because he did not pay for two gifted luxury watches worth around 100,000 euros when entering the Munich Airport. The incident cost him a six -figure sum and an entry in the Federal Central Register, but this did not endanger his post as CEO. The matter only became explosive years later: in 2022 the ZDF published testimony, which suggested that Rummenigge could have received the clocks at a lobby event for the World Cup in Qatar.

The phrase “at the end of the day”, which Rummenigge used in almost every interview and which has long since become a winged word, perfectly summarizes his life. At the end of the day it was always FC Bayern who was the focus. Whether as a successful player or as a manager who led the club to the top of the world.

“Everyone can be replaced,” said Rummenigge once. “The cuddly animal cuisine of those who consider themselves irreplaceable is far too big.” But it can be stated on his 70th birthday: At the end of the day, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge shaped FC Bayern like no other.