Leverkusen displaces FC Bayern from the throne and is German champion. Uli Hoeneß doesn't like that at all. The FCB patron reluctantly congratulates.
Munich/Leverkusen – Did Uli Hoeneß expect that he would have to experience that? It's reality: Bayer 04 Leverkusen is German champion for the first time in the history of the Bundesliga. For years, the 72-year-old personally ensured that the Werkself failed time and time again as the person in charge of FC Bayern - now Hoeneß congratulates his rival.
“It was difficult for me”: Bayern patron Uli Hoeneß congratulates Leverkusen on their championship
The long wait came to an end on April 14, 2024: Leverkusen are champions, the Bayer sensation is perfect after a gala against Bremen. After the final whistle, the celebration knew no bounds; within seconds the BayArena lawn was littered with fans. “Vizekusen” is finally history. What did Uli Hoeneß think when he saw these pictures?
The Bayern patron pulled out his cell phone: congratulations went out from Tegernsee to the Rhineland. “Leverkusen became champions quite rightly. I congratulated them all today and wrote that I wish them all that. Even though it was difficult for me,” said Hoeneß on Monday during his testimony in the summer fairy tale trial before the Frankfurt am Main regional court.
Uli Hoeneß has to watch the Leverkusen championship: FC Bayern congratulates – and sends a declaration of war
After eleven years in a row, the German champions are no longer called FC Bayern - here are 30 facts to amaze you. No wonder Hoeneß has to get used to this idea.
Leverkusen is 16 points ahead of Bayern with five matchdays to go and can no longer be pushed out of first place. Not only Hoeneß, who currently sits on the Munich supervisory board, sent greetings, but also the bosses around President Herbert Hainer, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and sports director Max Eberl: FC Bayern congratulates Leverkusen on the championship - and sends a declaration of war.
Bayern patron Uli Hoeneß prevented Leverkusen from becoming German champions for years
The fact that Hoeneß finds it difficult to congratulate Leverkusen on their championship title is due to the past. Between Borussia Dortmund's two double bowls in 1995 and 1996 and 2011 and 2012 and especially around the turn of the millennium, Leverkusen was FC Bayern's biggest competitor for a long time. Former Bayern manager Hoeneß weakened the Werkself with clever transfers such as Michael Ballack, Zé Roberto and Lucio.
Bayern's last-minute championship in 2000 will never be forgotten, when Leverkusen lost the title they thought they had secured on the last matchday after a Ballack own goal in Unterhaching. In addition, Hoeneß had a long-term feud with the former Cologne and later Leverkusen coach Christoph Daum - and ultimately even prevented him from becoming national coach by starting his cocaine scandal.
Leverkusen poison arrow to Munich: Will Hoeneß shoot back?
This is all history, Robert Andrich made an announcement to FC Bayern: a Leverkusen poison arrow after the championship. Will Hoeneß switch to the “attack department” and shoot back?
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