The summer of 2020 will forever live in Bayern Munich’s history — not just for the trophies lifted, but for the unshakable belief that defined a golden generation. Five years later, club legend and current supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has opened up about one of his most cherished memories: the night he got to tell Robert Lewandowski the words he’d been waiting to hear — “You can win the Champions League with Bayern Munich too.”
Speaking to Kicker (via @iMiaSanMia), Rummenigge reminisced on the magical run under Hansi Flick, the interim coach who transformed uncertainty into unstoppable momentum. “Lisbon, 2020 — that was one of the most beautiful days I’ve ever experienced,” Rummenigge said fondly. “We had an extraordinary year with Hansi. At the start, even we weren’t sure if everything would work out. His first deal was only until Christmas, and I told him openly he had to prove he could be Bayern’s head coach. He accepted that challenge completely — and then we went on that incredible run.”
That incredible run, of course, ended with Bayern lifting the UEFA Champions League after a flawless campaign — winning every single game en route to the final and sealing a historic treble in the process.
But beyond tactics and silverware, Rummenigge’s reflection shone a light on a more personal story — one of patience, trust, and vindication. He revealed that Lewandowski, year after year, would come to him with offers from other elite clubs. “Robert would tell me he had an offer from a top side,” he recalled. “I’d say, ‘That’s proof we signed the right player.’ But he always told me, ‘I want to win the Champions League.’ I told him, ‘You can win that with Bayern too.’ And after that night in Lisbon, I reminded him of it. He was enormously happy.”
It was a fitting full-circle moment for one of the game’s greatest goal scorers — and for Bayern Munich, a reminder that faith in their philosophy continues to pay off.
For Rummenigge, that conversation encapsulated everything Bayern stands for: loyalty, belief, and the pursuit of greatness. “That day,” he said, “was Bayern Munich at its very best.”
