Bayern Munich is easily the biggest team in Germany, and by extension shares rivalries with clubs big (like Borussia Dortmund) and small (Bayer Leverkusen). Their local rival is 1860 Munich and no love
is lost between the two despite the massive gap in popularity and wealth. The enmity is ever-present, and it even reaches the club exeuctives.
“We were invited to Ingolstadt by the Bavarian Football Association. It was about promoting kids’ football,”1860 president Gernot Mang began (Bild via @iMiaSanMia). “All Bavarian professional clubs were there. At the end, Mr. Hainer also came. I briefly introduced myself and he said: ‘And who are you? From 1860 Munich? And what do you do there?’ — I said: exactly the same as you, I’m the president of the club. I would say that out of respect, you should know. Everyone else knew [me]. This shows once again that a little humility would do that club good.”
It doesn’t end there, as Mang apparently took offense at Hainer’s exit wherein the latter checks notes had to accompany Bayern to Paris before their clash against Paris Saint-Germain. The story ends with the presidents sharing their disappointment.
BFW Commentary
Let’s give Hainer the benefit of the doubt because he spends a lot of time carrying out his duties at Bayern and he’ll almost certainly have no time to acquaint himself with his peers. Furthermore, the rest of the Bavarian clubs are all way behind Bayern in terms of recognizability so perhaps one may forgive Hainer for not knowing who they are. For Mang to feeling slighted at that exchange suggests he’s too sensitive.
