‘Few people understand why a player who earns 15 million-a-year and then is not satisfied with 19.5m’: Outgoing Bayern Munich chief Karl-Heinz Rummenigge takes a swipe at David Alaba after Austrian defender quit the club to join Real Madrid
- Alaba will join Real Madrid on a free transfer after the European Championship
- The Austrian won an astonishing 10 Bundesliga titles during his time with Bayern
- The 28-year-old won 27 trophies in total during his 13 years at the Allianz Arena
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge aimed a dig at David Alaba after the defender quit the German champions to join Real Madrid.
The 28-year-old has joined Los Blancos on a free transfer, signing a five-year contract and will link up with his new club after the Euros.
Rummenigge, who is stepping down from his role on June 30, admitted he was upset to lose Alaba but the club simply could not match the terms offered by the Spanish giants.
David Alaba enjoyed a trophy-laden spell with Munich which included 10 Bundesliga titles
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (above) admitted he was upset to lose Alaba
He told Kicker magazine: ‘I think very few people in this existential crisis understand when a professional footballer already earns 15 million a year and then is not satisfied with 19.5 million.’
When asked whether he meant Alaba, Rummenigge said: “We generally have to find a balance between the base and the economic component, we mustn’t forget the football fan just because they haven’t been to the stadium for a year. Football has always had a connecting element. ”
Alaba joined Bayern in 2008 and spent 13 years with the German giants, winning an astonishing 27 trophies during his time at the Allianz Arena including 10 Bundesliga titles and two Champions Leagues.
David Alaba insists that Real Madrid were always his first choice after leaving Bayern Munich
A number of Premier League clubs were keen on acquiring the Austrian’s services, but Alaba insists that the Bernabeu was always his preferred destination.
‘I wasn’t approached by many clubs, but Real Madrid were at the top of my list. Alaba told German newspaper Bild.
‘Like Bayern Munich, they are one of the biggest clubs in the world, with a special history and tradition.
‘There have been so many great players in Real Madrid’s history and so many great victories and trophies.
‘I want to join and continue this successful story with the club and the fans.
‘It will be a new chapter in life for my family and for me. I want to develop personally and professionally, and that’s precisely why I’m coming to Madrid.’
The versatile Austrian will link up with his new Madrid team-mates after this summer’s Euros
