Rummenigge: Bundesliga clubs want to hurt Bayern

The club’s CEO has hit out at the lack of “solidarity” in German football, criticising rivals for not allowing players adequate time to recover after the World Cup

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has criticised Bundesliga sides for damaging Bayern Munich’s preparations by starting the season too soon after the World Cup.

The Bundesliga begins with the Bavarians opening their defence against Wolfsburg on August 22, less than six weeks after Germany’s World Cup final win against Argentina.

Commenting on the fact that Bayern had seven players in Joachim Low’s squad in Brazil, Rummenigge was dismayed that other German sides were not willing to listen to his request to push back the season opener.

“Three weeks rest is too short, two weeks of preparation is not enough,” the 58-year-old told Bild.

“I miss some solidarity by the Bundesliga. At a manager meeting I wanted to let the Bundesliga start on August 29th and not already on the 22nd but it was denied.

“It’s the only chance to get Bayern in trouble they said. I miss the solidarity towards those clubs who had a lot of players at the World Cup. I mean from Dortmund there were eight or nine in Brazil too.

Die Roten have money to spend following the sales of Toni Kroos and Mario Mandzukic to Real and Atletico Madrid respectively, but the Bayern chief insisted that Pep Guardiola would not necessarily look to make big changes.

“I’m not sure if we will buy someone,” he continued.

“It would be nice if we can end up with a plus of €42 million but our salary for the players is expensive too. Quality costs money.

“Pep Guardiola is happy with the team right now. We need to be careful that the competition between the players is not getting too bad.”

Rummenigge also commented on the subject of TV money, suggesting the Bundesliga needs a better deal to compete with the best leagues in Europe.

“If we want to be on top we need a new push upwards with the next TV deal,” said the 1982 and 1986 World Cup finalist.

“I have always said we need Italian conditions. They earn €1 billion!”

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