Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (r.) is stepping down early as Bayern Munich CEO, with Oliver Kahn (l.) his replacement. - © Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (r.) is stepping down early as Bayern Munich CEO, with Oliver Kahn (l.) his replacement. - © Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images
bundesliga

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge steps down as Bayern Munich CEO as Oliver Kahn takes over

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Bayern Munich have confirmed that CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is to step down from his role early, with Oliver Kahn to take over from 1 July.

Rummenigge has been involved in management at Bayern since 1991, holding the roles of vice-president and then his current position since 2002, and was due to retire following the expiration of his contract at the end of 2021. However, the club have announced that the 65-year-old asked to step down early and hand over the reins to Kahn this summer.

“It’s the most strategically sensible and logical time. We’re entering a new period with a new coaching staff. The new season should begin with Oliver Kahn in charge as new CEO,” Rummenigge said looking ahead to the arrival of new head coach Julian Nagelsmann.

With two-time Ballon d’Or winner Rummenigge involved at board level, Bayern have enjoyed an era of unprecedented success, including 14 Bundesliga titles, 10 DFB Cups and the UEFA Champions League twice, as the Munich club developed into one of global football’s powerhouses.

“Together with Uli Hoeneß, he turned Bayern into one of the best addresses in international football, both in a sporting and economical sense,” added club president Herbert Hainer.

Rummenigge had previously played for Germany’s record champions after joining as an 18-year-old in 1974. He won the European Cup in his first two seasons and later two Bundesliga titles. A prolific attacker, he scored 217 times in 422 competitive appearances to sit third in the club’s all-time scoring chart, behind Robert Lewandowski (294) and Gerd Müller (523).

He hands over to former goalkeeper and captain Kahn, who has been on the board for the last year in preparation for the planned handover in December.

“He was already heavily involved in decisions about the future of Bayern. We’re all convinced Oliver is the right man to successfully lead Bayern into the future,” Hainer added.