Zheng Zhi (C) of Guangzhou Evergrande celebrates with the trophy after winning the friendly football match against Bayern Munich in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, July 23, 2015. Guangzhou Evergrande beat Bayern Munich 5-4 after the penalty shootout. (Photo: Xinhua/Liu Dawei)
German giants Bayern Munich concluded their visit to China on Thursday, with chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge sharing glimpse into the success running of the soccer club.
Soccer circles in China are wondering, what did the Bundesliga champions leave behind beside the matches they played? Why could Bayern realize profit for the 22 consecutive years?
Despite the huge outlays in transfer market in recent seasons with more than 25 million euros of pretax profits in 2013-2014, it is their 22nd consecutive year for Bayern to realize profit which made them unique in European big clubs.
"Your income must exceed your outlay, it's German culture and the operation principle we have insisted for years, it's simple," Rummenigge said.
In 2013-2014, Bayern's business income reached 290 million euros accounting for 60% of the total income which delights the clubs in China who could not realize breakthrough in broadcasting rights and match-day revenues.
"China is an important market for us, we have a long-term planning to open the Chinese market," he said.
Rummenigge, who claimed the Golden Ball Award two times, thought that a professional football stadium was essential for a club.
He said: "I know Guangzhou is planning to build a professional stadium, it is important, a professional stadium could contribute to creating atmosphere and business development, it's a home of the club."
Guangzhou Evergrande set the role model of Chinese Super League in club operation as the CSL defending champions brought in strategic investor such as Alibaba Group which won praise from Rummenigge.
"Evergrande have a good operation mode, I think it is a good way for Evergrande to bring in strategic investors and plan to go public, Liu Yongzhuo (board member of the club) is a smart man, Evergrande will be better and better on this way," he said.
