The German side’s president believes owners should have an emotional attachment to the club, rather than just seek the financial gains, using the Glazer family as an example
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has criticised football owners who have no emotional attachment to their club and are just driven by money, using the Glazer family and their ownership of Manchester United as an example.
Hoeness was a success at Bayern as a player, winning three Bundesliga titles before becoming their president, and has blasted United’s American ownership for not caring enough about the club.
“At Bayern we don’t look always for short-term success. I’ve won about 20 titles,” Hoeness told The Sun.
“To win the 21st title I’ll not sell out the club. But if somebody comes in who’s won nothing, he wants to win quickly and under this pressure he makes decisions which can be very difficult.
“I do not compare ourselves to United for instance which is a very big club and famous and one I admire greatly. But Mr Glazer didn’t know where Manchester was 20 years ago. He doesn’t do it because he loves United. He wants to make money.
“Football, you do with your heart. I have no problem with people from Arabia or Russia but they should have a connection to the club, from the heart.”
Hoeness believes the German game, which is admired by many, is different to that in England and much is down to the cheaper ticket prices which lead to higher average attendances.
He explained: “I only want to have big sporting success on a sound economic basis. It’s no fun to win the championship or Champions League with a £50-£60 million loss.
“The 12,000 cheap tickets are for young people and the people who cannot afford it otherwise. Football must always be affordable.
“When you only pay €15 [£12] you can’t say ‘I hate these millionaires’ because you cannot finance the millionaires with €15. The €15 tickets are standing seats behind the goals. Our most expensive season ticket is around €800 [£697].”
Hoeness, however, praised Arsenal, who meet Bayern Munich in the second leg of their last 16 Champions League tie on Wednesday, for their financial model.
“I’ve a very good opinion about Arsenal’s people and how they think. They do it correctly,” he added.
“At the moment, OK, they have some problems in the squad but in their financial behaviour they are correct.
“If Mr Kroenke says, ‘I want to make money’ then he has to find people who love the club. Arsene Wenger for a long time has been a good icon for the club. He has done a great job.”