Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has explained in detail for the first time why he did not support Max Eberl’s contract extension at FC Bayern. The supervisory board member admits that he even considered casting a dissenting vote. Ultimately, however, he decided to abstain.
Max Eberl’s contract extension through 2029 has long been a done deal. Nevertheless, the Bayern supervisory board’s decision continues to be a topic of discussion. After reports had already surfaced about Rummenigge’s abstention, the 70-year-old has now confirmed to the Abendzeitung that he did not support the extension of the sporting director’s contract.
At one point, there was even talk of him explicitly voting against it. “I thought long and hard about whether I should vote ‘no’ on Max’s contract extension. It wasn’t until the meeting was underway that I decided to abstain,” Rummenigge explained. He stands by his decision: “I stand by that.”
Rummenigge Criticizes Events Leading Up to the Vote
The long-time Bayern CEO made it clear that certain things had already bothered him in the run-up to the decision. He said he had raised his concerns within the club. However, Rummenigge did not elaborate on which specific events had bothered him.
For him, it was crucial to form his own opinion rather than follow a recommendation that had already been made. In doing so, the former Bayern boss emphasized that his abstention was a deliberate decision and did not happen by chance during the meeting.
Eberl wants to focus on his work.
Eberl himself had already been confronted with reports about Rummenigge’s voting behavior on Sky prior to the Bundesliga home game against Union Berlin. The sporting director explained at the time that, during the discussions about his future, he had focused primarily on his day-to-day work.
He said he did not know who on the supervisory board had voted for or against him. What mattered most to him, he said, was that the supervisory board had ultimately reached a decision. He therefore intends to stay the course.
“Accordingly, I will now continue my work to the best of my ability until 2029,” Eberl emphasized. His goal, he said, is to build on the successful work of the past two years.
Rummenigge’s statements, however, show that the extension of the Chief Sports Officer’s contract was not without controversy within the Supervisory Board. While Eberl’s future is contractually settled, the specific reasons behind Rummenigge’s reservations remain unclear.