Bayern Munich players react to Uli Hoeness retirement rumours | OneFootball

According to a report by German outlet Bild earlier this week, Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness will not stand for re-election and is set to retire.

Hoeness himself is yet to confirm the story and has only given a short statement to Kicker in which he said he would inform the supervisory board of his decision on 29 August.

But the rumour has sent shockwaves through the club and upon their return to Munich airport following the culmination of the Audi Summer Tour on Wednesday, several first-team players were asked for their thoughts on the matter by SportBild.

“At the first moment, it was a shock,” David Alaba is quoted as saying.

“I wasn’t prepared for something like that. I think FC Bayern is inconceivable without him.

“But no matter whether he has a position or not, he will always influence the club.”

Meanwhile, Leon Goretzka said: “He has been the decisive figure for umpteen decades. It’s unique.

“I can’t say anything more about it. I think I’ll wait until he makes a personal statement.”

“That’s a shame,” added Sven Ulreich.

“Uli Hoeness is a good man. He built FC Bayern; it’s his life’s work. There would be no FC Bayern in this form without him. \

“But he also has earned the right to spend more time with his family in the future. He will definitely always remain connected to the club.

“I can’t imagine that he’d not come to the stadium anymore. He’d miss it.”

Hoeness was first elected president of Bayern in 2009 and his tenure at the club has yielded 44 trophies in all.

Bild report that former Adidas CEO Herbert Hainer is the current favourite to replace the 67-year-old if he does retire, while legendary former goalkeeper Oliver Kahn has been strongly tipped t replace Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as the club’s CEO.