Bayern president slams Barcelona: “In any normal country they wouldn’t even be in the first division”
Barcelona has once again been the target of harsh criticism from Uli Hoeness, honorary president of Bayern Munich. In an interview with the OMR podcast , the Bavarian legend described the Catalan club’s management model as “absurd” and argued that, in any other country, Barça would no longer be competing in the first division.
“Barcelona isn’t the model, I imagine. In any other country, they wouldn’t be in the first division anymore. When you have $1.3 billion [ approximately €1.13 billion ] in debt, how can that possibly work?”, Hoeness questioned.
The former German international, 73, didn’t mince words: “I find it absurd and incomprehensible that they continue to play in the first division. It’s a club model I would never respect. In any normal country, a club managed like that wouldn’t even be in the first division. Honestly, it’s a miracle they can still play in the first division.”
Hoeness emphasized that Barça has been spending more than it earns for years, distorting, in his view, sporting merit. For the director, the Catalan scenario contrasts completely with Bayern’s path. “This contrasts absolutely with the control we have at Bayern and with our sound finances, which should be an example for all clubs in Europe,” he stressed.
The honorary president defended the financial stability and prudent management of the Bavarians, distancing himself from the financial “leverages” used by Barça, which he considers “risky accounting maneuvers.” “We can be proud of solid management, with economic criteria and a sporting quality that does not depend on financial maneuvers,” concluded Hoeness, arguing that the restrictive regulations in Germany would have already paralyzed a club with debts of this magnitude.