Herbert Hainer: ‘FC Bayern reflects the spirit of the times’ | OneFootball

FC Bayern regularly seeks dialogue with its grassroots. Before the Annual General Meeting on 8 December in the Rudi-Sedlmayer-Halle (starting at 10.30am), Herbert Hainer invited 10 members to Säbener Straße for an exclusive discussion. Young and old, different life stories, inclusion - everything was discussed during the dialogue moderated by the club President. The conclusion was that FC Bayern is growing with the challenges.

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Herbert Hainer: “Welcome to Säbener Straße! We'll start with our second-youngest guest, and the one with the longest journey. Lisa Duregger, how was the journey from Brixen in South Tyrol to Munich?” Lisa Duregger: “My parents drove me here, are now in town for Christmas shopping, then they'll pick me up. Tonight I'm going straight back. I’ve got school tomorrow. I'm very happy to be here today. I've been a fan since I was seven years old when I was given Thomas Müller and Bastian Schweinsteiger jerseys. I also play football myself, in a good women's team - our lowest win in the last few months was 8-0 [smiles].”

Hainer: “Even FC Bayern can take a leaf out of your book there. Mr Behrend, at 85, you're the oldest in this group and you're sitting right next to 16-year-old Lisa. How did you come to FC Bayern?” Hans Behrend: “I used to play for Sportfreunde next door, where the Klausener Bad is now. One day, the Bayern over-50 team came to us ‘veterans’ and asked if we wanted to play for them. I even played with Gerd Müller, and afterwards we often sat together. As did athletics with the blue lot, they always had a laugh with me when they lost again. I played for Bayern until I was over 60 and I'm still there today, even if I'm no longer an active player.”

Hainer: “Ms Lubelski, you're not from Munich and you bring a different view of FC Bayern to this table.” Ilana Lubelski: “When the Six-Day War broke out in Israel in 1966, my father decided that we would go from Tel Aviv to Germany until the situation calmed down. I, then eight, didn't want to leave, but he said to me: ‘You will experience two miracles. Every Christmas, a tree grows in the living room in Germany - and you'll get to meet Sepp Maier, Gerd Müller and Franz Beckenbauer.”

Klaus Lunzner: “My father was an 1860 fan, so I said to myself that I would do something different. It was a tough time, when the Blues were in the Bundesliga and we were a division lower. I've been a member for 58 years, membership number 225, so now I have to make sure I make it to number one.”

The 10 members also spoke to president Herbert Hainer about how they found their way to FC Bayern.

Hainer: “There are parallels in our family histories. My brother even used to play for Sechzig, but I was a Red right from the start. At 15, Lars Voigt is the youngest here - we're looking forward to another view of FC Bayern!” Lars Voigt: “During a visit to Säbener Straße in year two at school, I really wanted to be hugged by Berni at a public training session like the kids from the KIDS CLUB, so my parents signed me up two days later. I have to say that sporting success obviously plays a big role, but I also think Bayern's commitment to issues such as diversity and inclusion is absolutely important. If a player were to refuse to take part in a campaign with rainbow colours, I assume that Bayern would seek a discussion in order to stand up for the club's values. When it comes to inclusion, Bayern does a lot more than other clubs, which I think is great, because everyone should be able to be part of the club. For me, Bayern is the absolute frontrunner in these areas.”

Hainer: “We don't just want to be number one in the table. Ms Neumeier, what do you say when a young person like Mr Voigt focuses on your topic of inclusion?” Ingrid Neumeier: “For me as someone directly affected, it's just great and very impressive. I'd like to thank you very much for focussing on people with disabilities, as well as the topic of diversity. I have to praise Bayern in general. I've been a Bayern fan for 25 years and I don't think the general public is aware of everything this club does in terms of inclusion.”

Ewald Manz: “The fact that FC Bayern stands for values is important to me. I think this dialogue is hugely appreciated today. You feel like part of the family, you are listened to and taken on board. The club has developed great dialogue formats. It's easy for me to be proud of my FC Bayern. I used to play as a defender, my role model was Katsche Schwarzenbeck, and I remember how we all used to sit in the trees as kids to watch a Bayern friendly in our neighbourhood near Hoffenheim. Unfortunately, I neglected to become a member at the time, otherwise I would’ve had a membership number similar to Mr Lunzner. I even took time off from school back then. We travelled to Belgrade, Moscow and Split. To this day, everything in our home is decorated with Bayern merchandise. I also think it's great how the club reflects the spirit of the times. Tradition doesn't exclude modern influences. That brings us back to the values, that the club grows with the challenges.”

Herbert Hainer enquired how the fans explain the brisk growth in membership.

Hainer: “We now have well over 360,000 members, and in the past 12 months we've seen unprecedented growth. Mr Riegel, you’re a new member, how do you explain the current boom?” Christoph Riegel: “I was a member before, left in between and am now back again. Speaking for myself, I was keen to become part of the community again. And maybe that's how many people feel in turbulent times, that they are looking for something to unite them. FC Bayern is the right place for that.”

Hainer: “How important are identification figures like Thomas Müller to you?” Corinna Krieger: “I have to get up for a moment and take off my basketball jacket [Thomas Müller's jersey is underneath]. My favourite player in 125 years is Andi Ottl, but Thomas simply speaks freely and has his heart in the right place. He's one of a kind.“

Ilana Lubelski: “I think he's a unique link between the old and young generation of fans. Thomas Müller simply has the Bayern gene, and you don't just get that by putting on the jersey. My urgent wish would be to integrate him into the club after his career. He belongs here.” [All nod in agreement]

Hainer: “And how does the group view a transfer like Harry Kane?” Andrea Meixner: “FC Bayern has to be able to afford players like that again and again, otherwise we can't compete internationally.”

Ingrid Neumeier: “The key thing is that FC Bayern can afford such players. Harry Kane pulls his teammates along with him.”

Ewald Manz: “And he's no superstar. He quickly integrated himself into the team.”

President Herbert Hainer and the 10 members met at FC Bayern's training ground for a round of talks.

Hainer: “How do you see the issue of identity?” Ewald Manz: “I'm proud of FC Bayern's identity. It's about team spirit, professionalism, cosmopolitanism and respect. Everything here is focussed on performance and success, and yet it remains human.”

Christoph Riegel: “In addition to success, social commitment is something that sets FC Bayern apart from many others. It should always stay that way.”

Hans Behrend: “I received a personal message from the club for my 85th birthday. I was absolutely delighted. That's FC Bayern. And on the subject of humanity, I come back to Kane. I was sceptical about the transfer at first, but then he said right from the start, I belong to you, we belong together, this is my club. He immediately became one of us, without question. That's the way he plays.”

Ingrid Neumeier: “The identity is that FC Bayern unites everyone. My grandson recently asked me what FC Bayern means to me. I then explained everything we’re currently discussing. He listened and said that yes, he agrees and that you have to know everything about your club. For example, he even knows Jamal Musiala's shoe size.”

You can read the full discussion in the December edition of members’ magazine ‘51’