Yahoo Sports Media round with Jan-Christian Dreesen and Michael Diederich in Seoul
During a reception for the German media at FC Bayern's team hotel on the Audi Summer Tour 2024 in Seoul, Jan-Christian Dreesen, CEO of FC Bayern, and his deputy Michael Diederich commented on topics relating to the German record champions. We've summarised their most important statements from the media round for you.
Dieser Inhalt kann hier leider nicht dargestellt werden. Zum Anschauen kannst du die Website des FC Bayern München besuchen: Artikel auf fcbayern.com
Dreesen: Our club is rooted in Bavaria and at home in the world
Dreesen began by emphasising to the journalists present why the club is holding its ninth Audi Summer Tour – two more took place digitally during the COVID-19 pandemic – in South Korea this year: "South Korea suits us. Here, like at FC Bayern, tradition and modernity are connected. Our club is rooted in Bavaria and at home in the world."
The timing was also right, since the club now has a South Korean fan favourite in its ranks in Minjae Kim and has since gained over 1,000 new members from the Asian country. "Minjae is famous in this country, a real national hero," described Dreesen. "On Saturday we play against Tottenham Hotspur, which couldn't have come at a better time as Spurs also have a very high-profile South Korean player in Heung-min Son. The game sold out within just two hours with over 60,000 tickets."
Dieser Inhalt kann hier leider nicht dargestellt werden. Zum Anschauen kannst du die Website des FC Bayern München besuchen: Artikel auf fcbayern.com
Diederich: When FC Bayern tackles something, it does it right
His board colleague Diederich expanded on why the Audi Summer Tour is so significant for the club. FC Bayern wants to be approachable – to fans and partners. "Our mission on all these trips is to create a spirit of optimism towards internationalisation throughout German football," he said. The local employees are pursuing this big mission, expanding the international network, serving a newly created fan base and establishing new partnerships.
"When FC Bayern tackles something, it does it right," summarised Diederich. "We have a full programme here in Seoul with sporting, financial and social matters. We're here with almost 300 people, which is a big commitment."
Dreesen on Kompany
CEO Dreesen went on to discuss first-team affairs. The 56-year-old declared himself "very optimistic" about new coach Vincent Kompany, who's working closely with the players together with his coaching staff and communicates a lot. "The word 'energy' has been used a lot. There's a good atmosphere and they're doing things differently."
A promise to João Palhinha
Meanwhile, João Palhinha made his way to Munich from Fulham this summer. After the move fell through in 2023, Dreesen commented that you always see each other twice in life. FC Bayern kept its word and is now delighted about its new defensive midfielder "He strengthens the team. It's nice that he's now at FC Bayern."
'To be reckoned with next season'
At the end of the session, Dreesen cast a look back and one forward – and again whetted the appetite for the coming season, for which the foundation should now be laid in South Korea. "No one at FC Bayern can be satisfied with a trophyless season," he added. "But as elite athletes, you have to regain strength from such situations. That's what our players are doing now. We have to be reckoned with next season."
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