A packed Allianz Arena witnessed yet another shambolic display from the “Rekordmeister” as Bayern could only muster a 1-1 draw, leaving them in seventh place in the table and already six points off pacesetters Leverkusen going into December.
Vice-Captain Lahm – who has already been handed a record fine this year for a previous outburst – hit out once again after Bayern couldn’t take three points at home.
It’s an interesting predicament, but one that many Bayern fans have seen developing over a longer period of time.
After their summer recruitment Bayern looked to have a formidable team on paper with Robben and Ribery in the wide areas and any of Gomez, Olic, Toni & Klose through the middle but as the old saying goes; “games are not won on paper”.
The galaxy of start names cannot gel into a star team and inevitably, money was spent bolstering the attack when it was the defense that really needed reinforcement, especially with the departure of Lucio.
So where has it all gone wrong?
Three words: Beckenbauer, Rummenigge, Hoeness
The three Amigos, best buds, who have been around for a long time, not just in footballing circles but down at Säbenerstrasse, it would seem they are as old as the furniture:
1. Beckenbauer – played with Bayern for 18 years, has been President for 15 years and has had two stints as manager
2. Rummenigge – 10 year playing career, 11 years as a Vice President and a further 7 as chairman
3. Hoeness – managed 86 goals in his 239 appearances over 8 years at Bayern, an incredible 30 years as general manager and next week, he will (more than likely) take over from Beckenbauer as President of FC Bayern München.
Three men, three hall-of-famers, 100 years of loyal work for the club between them, three men who wield vast amounts of power in the politics of football, three men with a love of the limelight who are never short of a quote for the media.
That pretty much sums it up.
That Beckenbauer created the libero position or Hoeness played a huge part in shaping modern day football’s finances are irrelevant, there are three old men at this club who love it to death but can’t keep their mouths shut.
After Lahm’s initial display of unhappiness – which admittedly should have been kept behind closed doors – Rummenigge showed him who is boss stating: “Philipp Lahm will therefore be fined an amount which has never been sanctioned by FC Bayern before.”
Then, just before the game against Leverkusen, two of the three Amigos thought it pertinent to publicly criticise the coach, a coach who but 5 months ago they selected to lead the club forward, noting that he should delegate more responsibility – another way of saying he should listen to their views on team selection.
Then there is the comment from Hoeness regarding the relationship between the current manager and Luca Toni: “There is certainly a problem between player and coach.”
Hardly a show of solidarity there, and yet another comment that should never have made it into the papers.
That’s just a few of the more recent comments and this is no “trend”. For years the three amigo’s have aired Bayern’s dirty laundry in public and Beckenbauer has been the worst offender with his column in Bild – Germany’s biggest tabloid – as well as various TV commentary gigs.
He has far too often come out and told all and sundry what very few should actually know – what he is thinking.
Bayern won’t win anything this season, despite their large investment. But the fans will flock back to see new faces next year.
Still, as long as Beckenbauer, Rummenigge and Hoeness have their fingers in the pie, Bayern will go nowhere.
It’s time for a cleanout.
All three have done their bit for an amazing club, but now they are taking them in the wrong direction. There are plenty of other legends who can take the club forward.
The question is, can they admit that a good thing has come to an end?
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