Uli Hoeneß didn’t mince his words in a program on ServusTV alongside sports director Christoph Freund on Monday evening.
Munich – When Uli Hoeneß (71) has something to say, he doesn’t mince his words. This was also the case late on Monday evening Hello TV in Salzburg. The honorary president of FC Bayern was a guest on the “Sport and Talk” program together with sports director Christoph Freund (46). As always, Hoeneß spoke plainly – and not just about the German record champions.
A controversial topic: a possible DFB comeback by Real star Toni Kroos (33), who resigned from the national team after the botched European Championship 2021. National coach Julian Nagelsmann (36) recently fueled rumors on ZDF about a return campaign for the 2014 world champion. Hoeneß is against it. “Toni Kroos is an outstanding football player, but I don’t think it’s possible for him to save German football,” explained the Bayern patron. “He’s done so many great things, but I think it’s a Titanic signal if we now have to pounce on Toni Kroos.”
Uli Hoeneß at TV station in Salzburg: A lot of criticism for TV experts, a lot of praise for Austrians
Hoeneß is also critical of Didi Hamann (50), Lothar Matthäus (62) & Co. “I think relatively little of TV experts because these so-called TV experts know everything better, but have never done anything better themselves. Most of these gentlemen, Didi Hamann at the top, have never done anything in their lives other than playing football and want to make it clear to all of us how football works. That bothers me a lot,” says Hoeneß. “This moral club, how they criticize when a player makes a mistake. I experienced them all myself and they weren’t just orphaned football players.”
The honorary president is much more positive about the Austrians at FC Bayern. Hoeneß says about summer newcomer Konrad Laimer (26), who came from Leipzig on a free transfer in the summer: “Konni in particular is a fantastic player for us. He is a coach’s dream because he is so versatile. If the right defender is injured, then Konni plays. If the six is not there, then Konni plays. Those are the players you need. You don’t win all the important titles with just chieftains, you also need people who work their asses off. And Konni is someone we can live wonderfully with.”
Hoeneß is also enthusiastic about ex-Salzburg boss Freund, who has been Bayern’s sports director since September. “From today’s perspective, after a relatively short time, we can now say that we made a lucky move,” he enthuses. At the same time, Hoeneß warns Freund of more turbulent phases: “So far we haven’t had a big drama, but that can happen at FC Bayern. He will still have to undergo his baptism of fire. But we are convinced that he can dance on any dance floor.”
Hoeneß on sports director Freund: “As I know him, he will deliver”
Freund recently extended the contracts of captain Manuel Neuer (37) and substitute goalkeeper Sven Ulreich (35) until 2025. Thomas Müller (34) will also stay that long, FC Bayern officially announced this yesterday afternoon.
Freund’s biggest challenge in January is to sign a new central defender who, ideally, can also play at right back. Hoeneß: “The way I got to know Christoph, he will deliver.” With Nestory Irankunda (17/Adelaide United) and Bryan Zaragoza (22/Girona), two summer signings have already been confirmed. Despite Freund’s excellent work, Hoeneß confirmed that FC Bayern would “very likely” install a sports director over the next six months. “But that has nothing to do with Christoph at all and doesn’t change his job at all,” the honorary president made it clear. Max Eberl (50) is considered the favorite for the vacant position.
Hoeneß, who like Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (68) was part of the transfer task force last summer, wants to slow down again soon: “The goal is definitely when Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and I have the feeling that FC Bayern is in the waters have become completely calm. I think that will happen in the first half of next year. Then we will take a back seat again and make sure things go well on the supervisory board.”
After a cruciate ligament tear: Hoeneß immediately jumps to Alaba’s side
By the way: Hoeneß is considered very helpful. He now proved that again. Real star David Alaba (31) tore a cruciate ligament on Sunday. According to Hoeneß, he then received support from his former club FC Bayern. “I’ve already tried to reach him, but unfortunately I haven’t succeeded yet. We at FC Bayern helped ensure that he underwent surgery in Innsbruck.
There is a doctor there in whom we have absolute trust and David will get all the support he needs not only in Austria but also at FC Bayern,” revealed Hoeneß. Dr. operates in Innsbruck. Christian Fink the football stars. Hoeneß: “We, just like you, are interested in him perhaps having a small chance of getting to the European Championships and whatever we can contribute to that, we will do.” The European Championships begin on June 14th. (Philip Kessler)