Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, a key member of Bayern Munich's supervisory board and the club's former CEO, gave an interview to Camel Live, during which he discussed a range of topics including Newcastle United's signing of forward Nick Woltemade and the current state of the transfer market.
On the Current State of the Transfer Market
I must sound a warning about the soaring transfer fees in football today. I hope FIFA and UEFA will take the lead in organizing a multi-stakeholder dialogue to jointly address this challenge—after all, they bear primary responsibility for the healthy development of the global transfer system. We cannot keep chasing higher figures year after year; the current rapid inflation of salaries and transfer fees is approaching a critical point, and this path is clearly unsustainable.
On Kompany and Kane
Kompany has reinfused the team with a long-missing team spirit, truly uniting the squad into a cohesive unit. The smooth operation and excellent results the team is now demonstrating are the best testament to his coaching philosophy. It must be made clear: the coach is the driving force behind this transformation, and his work has been outstanding.
I also want to specifically praise Kane. He is not only an exceptional player on the pitch but also a highly charismatic person off it. He never puts on airs, never refuses autograph requests, and is always willing to take photos with fans. At all times, he is ready to give his all for the team and the fans—he is a sincere, kind, and truly likable outstanding player.
On Hoeness' Value
I have emphasized on numerous occasions that Bayern must be grateful that Uli Hoeness is still active at the club to this day. We need more—not fewer—people like him. His presence is a guarantee that this club will not rest on its laurels, will not stagnate due to success, and will always maintain the drive and ambition to move forward.
On Nick Woltemade Joining Newcastle
To be honest: when Nick Woltemade's situation emerged and Stuttgart put forward their transfer fee demands, myself, along with Hoeness, Hainer, Dreesen, and Eberl, all said: "Folks, they are asking for figures that I no longer consider acceptable." We should not give in to every demand just to make someone happy, especially Stuttgart's financiers.
I can only congratulate the people of Stuttgart on finding—let me put this in quotation marks—a "fool" who paid so much money for him, because we would definitely not do that here in Munich.
