Bayern Munich’s former CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge defended vaccination skeptic Joshua Kimmich in the corona debate. “I know him as a serious and responsible person,” said Rummenigge on the “Sky90” program on Sunday. The national player is “stigmatized to a certain extent”.
The debate about the unvaccinated Kimmich is one that “annoys the association,” said Rummenigge: “Everyone tried to clear up the issue of non-vaccination and to find a solution, but it was unsuccessful.” According to Rummenigge, possible cuts in salaries by the record champions for unvaccinated players would be “a sign” of the club, “maybe it will work now”.
However, the “exclusive role model” is not to be found in football. “If a footballer like him has concerns about vaccinating, then it is up to the responsible politicians and scientists to dispel these concerns. They share 32 percent in our country,” said Rummenigge.
The 66-year-old emphasized that he was not a fan of “obliging himself”, but “there is probably only one solution and that is to vaccinate.”
There have been many discussions on this subject with the FC Bayern players. “You saw the result in Augsburg. If important players are missing, then it hits Bayern too,” said Rummenigge. Kimmich was absent from the 1: 2 bankruptcy in the derby at FC Augsburg on Friday because he had to be in quarantine as an unvaccinated contact person for a corona infected person.
Rummenigge on the Bayern defense and Alaba
Rummenigge also commented on Bayern’s defensive position recently and David Alaba’s free transfer to Real Madrid in the summer. “What is striking is that they do not have the stability, especially in central defense,” said Rummenigge. “Maybe the organizer is missing. David Alaba was an important man there, also in the dressing room. This departure has not yet been fully compensated for.”
Most recently Dayot Upamecano Lucas Hernandez and Niklas Süle played in central defense. The French talent Tanguy Nianzou does not play an important role.
Rummenigge also teased Borussia Dortmund and advised his ex-club against signing Erling Haaland.
