In addition to laughing off transfer rumors surrounding Michael Olise and Luis Diaz and joking that Vincent Kompany’s appointment had been part of the club’s “master plan”, Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen made some controversial comments about city rivals 1860 Munich. The latter club once again find themselves operating in the German fourth tier this season after failing to secure a 3. Liga license.
The two clubs jointly developed and initially shared the Allianz Arena after it opened in 2005. Bayern subsequently purchased 1860’s 50 percent stake in the stadium company for €11 million when the Lions encountered financial difficulties. 1860 continued playing at the arena as a tenant, while Bayern also agreed to defer certain financial obligations rather than demand immediate payment.
That long period of cooperation ended after 1860’s 2017 relegation, when the stadium agreement was cancelled and the Lions returned to the Grünwalder Stadion. Against the historical backdrop of Bayern’s previous support for 1860, Dreesen was asked whether the German champions might once again provide financial assistance as the Lions prepare for another restart in the Regionalliga.
The reporter framed the prospect of Bayern providing approximately €5 million in financial assistance as a potential “gift to the city of Munich.” Dreesen kept matters diplomatic and civil at first before firmly declining the proposal.
Dreesen spoke at a Munich Press Club event on Tuesday.
Dreesen wishes city rivals well, but rules out financial support
“I truly hope 1860 Munich get back on their feet again,” Dreesen said. “I really hope that they get things going because they have unbelievably great fans who have been tolerated an incomprehensible amount of suffering. Sometimes it’s for the best when one has to start from the bottom up again. It’s a defeat, but also a new beginning. [In such a situation] One can get things sorted.
“Sometimes it can be beneficial when you have to start again from the bottom,” Dreesen continued as he wrapped up his opening comments on 1860. “It is a defeat, but it is also a fresh start. One then has the opportunity to reorganize things. I hope they make the right decisions.”
“I take a somewhat more critical view of that [proposal],” Dreesen noted when it came time to answer the question more concretely. “There is still a very real antipathy toward our city rivals among our members and supporters. There have been ugly banners and demonstrations against us. Some of it comes from our side as well.
“I don’t believe our members would approve of that,” Dreesen concluded. “I rate the chances of a transfer [of money] to be very slim.”
