German soccer great Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was always convinced from the outset that England captain Harry Kane would be the perfect summer signing for champions Bayern Munich – and the whole Bundesliga.
Striker Kane arrived in August from Tottenham Hotspur for a Bayern record fee of around 100 million Euros after Bayern realised they needed a top striker because the squad couldn’t make up for the 2022 departure of Robert Lewandowski.
Kane has been an instant hit, tops the Bundesliga scoring charts with 21 goals, and has added four in the Champions League where Bayern also have big ambitions. In addition, the club has sold more than 100,000 Harry Kane shirts.
“I was convinced from the outset that it would work. Harry Kane and the Bundesliga is probably a love at first sight,” said Rummenigge, Bayern’s former striking great and CEO who is now part of the club’s supervisory board.
“We are super satisfied with Harry. And we were convinced from the outset that we need this kind of player, to have a top man on this position again. Because the other players couldn’t make up for the 40 to 50 goals Lewandowski guaranteed us.”
Club president Herbert Hainer has named Kane “a sports star and a gentleman who does Bayern good”, while captain Manuel Neuer said Kane had become part of the dressing room and the team “really quickly”.
Coach Thomas Tuchel added: “It is the whole package. He is a top personality, an absolute leader. He has performed at top level. We are happy that Harry is so much in the spotlight.”
Munich are Kane’s first club outside of England, and after “not knowing what to expect”, he is now “loving every minute.”
Kane is enjoying a first-ever winter break at the moment, on holiday with his family which will then finally also join him in Munich.
“We’re going somewhere hot, so we’ll spend 10 days and just enjoy that time. I’m going to text all my mates in England a picture of me on the beach somewhere,” he said last week.
Training resumes on Tuesday, and some believe Kane can break Lewandowski’s single-season Bundesliga scoring record of 41 goals.
But Rummenigge cautioned, saying: “I think it is too early to speculate on season records.
“What impresses me most about Harry is his team-orientated style of play. He goes every metre, he’s not afraid to make a run. And that also motivates the others. The goals are just one part of his quality.”
Kane, who famously never won a title at Spurs after losing the 2021 Champions League final against Chelsea, said after the group stage that the continental trophy was the aim, with the 2024 decider in his home town of London at Wembley, and the one in 2025 in Bayern’s home stadium in Munich.
But Rummenigge said: “As far as the Champions League final is concerned, it’s a bit like Christmas. I wish for a white Christmas every year, but unfortunately I haven’t had my wish fulfilled that often in recent years.
“Of course, our fans always dream of playing in the final. The Champions League is only just getting started with the knockout phase,” he said, with Bayern facing Lazio in the last 16.
