FC Bayern is set to receive around 250 million euros for Viessmann’s investment. Now, the executives from Leverkusen, Leipzig, and Dortmund are reacting to the deal.
The Viessmann Generations Group’s investment in FC Bayern is also drawing reactions from its Bundesliga rivals. The German record champion is receiving approximately 250 million euros for the last available stake in its soccer corporation, thereby significantly strengthening its already robust financial position.
FC Bayern officially confirmed Viessmann’s investment last week. As part of a capital increase, the family-owned company will acquire just under 6.7 percent of the shares in FC Bayern München AG. The parent club will continue to hold 70 percent.
Among its direct rivals, the deal is eliciting respect above all else. Bayer Leverkusen’s managing director, Fernando Carro, does not view the championship as a foregone conclusion, despite the growing financial gap.
“No, the next titles aren’t a foregone conclusion,” Carro told BILD. “Bayern has always had more resources than the rest of the league. That has to be an incentive for all of us to challenge the club year after year with everything we have at our disposal. But one thing is also clear: This deal widens the gap even further. We in German soccer have opted for the existing model. So we must also accept the consequences for the competition.”
Leipzig and Dortmund also congratulate Bayern
The reaction from Leipzig is similar. Oliver Mintzlaff, CEO of Red Bull, does not want the gap to FC Bayern to be seen as a reason for resignation.
“We’re not focused on giving up, but on getting better. FC Bayern has extraordinary financial resources and continues to strengthen its position with partnerships like this. We can only congratulate them on that, and it underscores once again what an outstanding job they’ve been doing for decades,” Mintzlaff told BILD.
The Leipzig executive also made it clear that the club’s own aspirations remain unchanged: “The deal changes the framework, but not our aspirations. What will continue to be decisive in the future is who makes the best decisions, develops talent, drives innovation, and creates a strong environment. That’s where we’re focusing our efforts. Our goal remains to permanently establish RB Leipzig as one of the strongest contenders in German soccer.”
Borussia Dortmund also responded with praise. According to BILD, BVB President Hans-Joachim Watzke even personally congratulated Max Viessmann via text message on the new partnership.
Club boss Carsten Cramer said: “When a club pulls off such a great deal, it’s only right to acknowledge it and offer sincere congratulations. So, congratulations and kudos to FC Bayern. As the person in charge at BVB, I’m not worrying right now about what this means for the competition; instead, I’m focusing on us and on how we at Borussia Dortmund can keep getting better.”
For FC Bayern, Viessmann’s investment means , above all , additional financial flexibility. President Herbert Hainer recently announced that the proceeds would initially be parked in a fixed-term deposit account. An immediate transfer spree is therefore not planned for the time being.