“Probably not too stupid after all”

The apology has already been given, congratulations will probably follow: Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) has apologized to BVB boss Hans-Joachim Watzke after his verbal tip against Borussia Dortmund (“almost too stupid to become champion”).

“For him, the matter was immediately settled,” said Söder in an interview with the Bundesliga before the season finale of the Bundesliga Süddeutsche Zeitung. His “spontaneous sentence from a football fan” was “of course exaggerated”.

“Should Dortmund become champions, I will of course congratulate them,” added Söder: “Even if it hurts me – not only for Bayern, but also for 1. FC Nürnberg. Dortmund would then have nine and therefore just as many championship titles as that Club – and it would have to share the title of ‘Vice Record Champion’ with BVB.”

Söder (56) hardly believes in the championship for his Bayern. “Even if anything can happen in football: It is not very likely that Dortmund will let Mainz take the butter off their bread at home,” said the Franconian. BVB goes into the last matchday on Saturday (3:30 p.m. / Sky) with a two-point lead over FC Bayern, who play at 1. FC Köln.

Söder does not want to see the threatening runner-up of the series winner as a setback for his state. “Berge, BMW, FC Bayern: These are certainly strong brands for Bayern. But this image will not be scratched just because you might be second,” he said, “and after ten championship titles it might need a new boost anyway.” Söder firmly believes: “Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge will certainly help.”