How Bayern Munich Grew into the Super Club of German Football

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayern Munich v SC Paderborn - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - February 21, 2020 Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scores their second goal REUTERS/Michael Dalder
Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayern Munich v SC Paderborn - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - February 21, 2020 Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scores their second goal REUTERS/Michael Dalder
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How Bayern Munich Grew into the Super Club of German Football

Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayern Munich v SC Paderborn - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - February 21, 2020 Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scores their second goal REUTERS/Michael Dalder
Soccer Football - Bundesliga - Bayern Munich v SC Paderborn - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - February 21, 2020 Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski scores their second goal REUTERS/Michael Dalder

Bayern Munich can complete only the second treble in their proud history by beating Paris Saint Germain in Sunday's Champions League final to underline their status as Germany's super club.

Bayern have cruised to the Lisbon final, scoring 42 goals in their Champions League matches.

In all competitions, they are on a 20-game winning streak stretching back to early February.

"FC Bayern is a global football club that has an obligation to play at the top internationally. That is our focus," said Bayern board member Oliver Kahn.

Since the turn of the century, Bayern have made the knock-out stages of the Champions League 19 times, reaching five finals and winning two of them, in 2001 and 2013.

In that time, they have won the Bundesliga 15 times.

Bayern last failed to win the German league in 2011/12, when Jurgen Klopp led Dortmund to the second of back-to-back titles.

They responded in 2012/13 with the first treble in club history - Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League titles - which they can repeat Sunday.

Such is their grip on German football that Dortmund, Bundesliga runners-up for the last two seasons, have given up promising to end Bayern's domination.

"We don't have to say anything more about Bayern Munich, because their opponents will no longer be beaten but destroyed," grumbled Dortmund chief execurive Hans-Joachim Watzke in the wake of the 8-2 quarter-final drubbing of Barcelona.

Bayern are Germany's richest club, with a turnover for 2018/9 of 750.4 million euros ($883 million) and an operating profit of 146.1 million euros.

The 2020 Deloitte Football Money League estimates that Bayern are the fourth richest club in Europe, behind Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United, AFP reported.

Building revenue has been a central element of club strategy under former president Uli Hoeness and current chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Hoeness, a former Bayern and Germany striker, was at the helm for 40 years, interrupted by a brief stint in jail after being convicted of tax fraud in 2013.

He resisted selling stakes in the club to outside investors.

Main sponsors Audi, Adidas and Allianz, all companies with their headquarters in Bavaria, hold 8.33 percent each. The remaining 75 percent is owned by club supporters.

Through a transfer policy of cherry-picking - sometimes ruthlessly - from other German clubs and adding affordable foreign imports, Bayern have dominated the Bundesliga since the 1970s.

After Dortmund routed Bayern 5-2 in the 2012 German Cup final, the losers took note.

Bayern bought Dortmund's rising star Mario Goetze in 2013.

They then added the striker who scored a hat-trick in the final Robert Lewandowski in 2014 and centre back Mats Hummels in 2016, as their Dortmund contracts expired.

They have already signed rising Germany stars goalkeeper Alexander Nuebel, on a free transfer, from Schalke and Leroy Sane from Manchester City for next season.

Bayern players are expected to show the same self-confidence exuded in the club's Bavarian motto 'Mia San Mia', meaning "We are who we are".

Head coach Hansi Flick, another former Bayern player, replaced Niko Kovac in November and has brought order and clarity.

"What sets him apart is his calm, level-headedness and his work with the coaching team," AFP quoted Bayern captain Manuel Neuer as saying.

"He showed that not only in the Bundesliga and the Cup, but also in the Champions League."

Even when the personnel change, Bayern roll on.

Rummenigge is grooming former club captain and Germany goalkeeper Kahn as his replacement.

Former Adidas CEO Herbert Hainer has replaced Hoeness as club president.

Hoeness may be gone but his presence will still be felt for years to come.

"I would be stupid if I didn't get his advice from time to time," said Hainer.



Mbappe and Tchouameni Join Real Madrid Training ahead of Clasico

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)
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Mbappe and Tchouameni Join Real Madrid Training ahead of Clasico

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe reacts during a La Liga soccer match between Real Betis and Real Madrid in Seville, Spain, Friday, April 24, 2026. (AP)

Kylian Mbappe trained on Friday after recovering from a hamstring injury ahead of the Clasico against Barcelona, with Aurelien Tchouameni also involved following his bust-up with teammate Federico Valverde.

Top goalscorer Mbappe had been sidelined for two weeks but Real said the French striker completed part of the group session two days before their trip to Barcelona, AFP reported.

Tchouameni also took part in the training the day after his altercation with Valverde resulted in the latter reportedly needing stitches.

The team confirmed that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against both players after the training ground clash, one of a spate of such incidents.

Tensions are high at Real with the prospect of a second consecutive season without a major trophy.

Leading by 11 points, Barcelona only need a draw in the Clasico to be crowned Spanish champions again.

 

 

 

 


Arteta Calls for Arsenal Focus on 'Huge' West Ham Clash

 May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
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Arteta Calls for Arsenal Focus on 'Huge' West Ham Clash

 May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
May 5, 2026 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates after reaching the UEFA Champions League final Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs

Mikel Arteta said Arsenal must re-focus for Sunday's "huge" Premier League clash at West Ham after the emotional high of reaching the Champions League final.

The Gunners will be crowned English champions for the first time in 22 years if they can win their final three league games.

A trip to relegation-threatened West Ham appears to be their toughest task remaining, AFP reported.

Arteta's men then host relegated Burnley before facing Crystal Palace just days before the Eagles play in the Conference League final.

Arsenal reached the Champions League final for just the second time in their history with victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but Arteta stressed there was little time to look ahead to facing Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest.

"Stay present, live in the moment, prepare and show the same level of energy, hunger and desire we have shown all season, or more," said the Arsenal boss, referring to his message to his players.

"We are closer and closer and everything we do is going to matter."

The Gunners are five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table but have played one game more than Pep Guardiola's men.

The result at the London Stadium could also have huge ramifications for Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham.

Spurs are just one point above 18-place West Ham in the battle to avoid the drop.

"Understanding the conditions of the game for both clubs, it's huge, obviously," said Arteta. "We know the importance of it, we know what we want and what we have to do to win the game."

The Spaniard said Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber remain out and are facing a race against time to feature in the Champions League final on May 30.

"There's a fair bit to do," he said. "Everything has to be so smooth and quick if they want the chance to play any minutes."


Dutch Forward Kluivert Returns from Knee Surgery for Bournemouth Ahead of World Cup

FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
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Dutch Forward Kluivert Returns from Knee Surgery for Bournemouth Ahead of World Cup

FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
FILE - Justin Kluivert of the Netherlands walks off the pitch after a World Cup qualifying soccer match between the Netherlands and Poland in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)

Netherlands forward Justin Kluivert's return for Bournemouth after a four-month absence from knee surgery could boost his hopes of playing in the World Cup.

The 27-year-old Kluivert, who hasn't played since early January, is expected to be in Bournemouth's squad for its Premier League game at Fulham, The Associated Press quoted manager Andoni Iraola as saying on Friday.

The Cherries enter the weekend in sixth place — currently the Europa League spot — with three games left in the season.

Kluivert injured his left knee in Bournemouth's 3-2 loss to Arsenal on Jan. 3 and had surgery a few days later. He had scored two goals this season. He's been training with the team for the past two weeks.

Kluivert, the son of Dutch great Patrick Kluivert, returned to the national team under coach Ronald Koeman in November 2024 after a six-year absence.

The Dutch open their World Cup campaign against Japan on June 14 in Group F. They also face Sweden and Tunisia.