Bayern Munich sporting director Christian Nerlinger has candidly spoken out against the financial policies of Manchester City and Chelsea, comparing their owners to children.
Speaking with a select group of Indian media representatives, including Goal.com, the retired Germany international slammed the English duo, asserting that his side - as well as Manchester United and Barcelona - have a more capable model.
The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder admitted that his current club have had difficulty in seasons following major international tournaments, but asserted they will nonetheless stick with their conservative economic philosophy after Euro 2012.
Yes, of course we thought about it because the last three or four years after big tournaments, we had a problem," he said. "But always it’s about philosophy and we don’t want the Manchester City model.
"We don’t want 22 world class players and a balance sheet that is growing and growing and growing. We want to have players that have a perspective so that they can play on a regular basis. It’s always about finding the right structure in the squad and we are, of course, thinking about that."
Nerlinger went on to assert that the Citizens, as well as Chelsea, lack finesse in the transfer market, and noted that to date, neither have been successful in achieving their goals.
"I think nowadays there is no patience in football," he explained. "If [Chelsea owner Roman] Abramovich spends €100 million a year, of course he wants to win the Champions League, but it’s not about calculation. Football is different; there are many elements in building a team.
"The example of Chelsea, in my eyes, shows that it’s not about spending hundreds of millions so that you can win the title or the European title. It’s more than that."
According to Nerlinger, Abramovich and City owner Sheikh Mansour are much like young children in their transfer policies, and take the wrong approach in managing their respective clubs.
"If you see what happened to Chelsea, what’s going on with Man City, they are at a stage where they are willing to spend to be number one not only in their domestic league but also in the Champions League. Of course, this is against economic sensibility. I have three sons – four years, two years and seven weeks. And they like to play with toys.
"We need to make sure that one can't play with football clubs, that one really takes it seriously and that there are certain rules to respect."
It is Nerlinger's hope that Financial Fair Play will curb the transfer activities of spendthrift clubs, and that his team's conservative financial policy will see the Bavarians re-emerge as a global superpower.
"I am not sure of Financial Fair Play but I hope it will take effect. Bayern Munich's philosophy in the last 20 years has been profitable. This will also come into play and then all together, as a club, we will play an important role.
The 38-year-old feels that, while his side could pull off a blockbuster transfer, such a move would oppose their philosophy. Instead, he is confident the Bavarians will achieve their goals while sticking to their values.
"We could, perhaps, spend €50m for a player. But we will never do it. Even if the pressure from others is very high, we would never spend €50m for one player because in the last 30 years, we showed that economic balance is something that is very important for us as well. In the long term also, it will be very successful."
According to Nerlinger, Bayern are not the only side deserving of respect: he cited Manchester United and Barcelona in particular as examples of sides that have come to power with use of more than just finances.
"Sir Alex Ferguson has done a fantastic job at Manchester United over the years. There have been some small dips but he established this club as a brand and as a world-class football team, and his philosophy was about developing a team."
The Bayern chief also praised Barcelona for cultivating many of their own stars, hailing their current 'golden generation'.
"I think Barcelona, are a team, and they're about players that come once in a century. So with Xavi, [Andres] Iniesta, [Lionel] Messi – this is a golden age.
"Of course, they have the right philosophy. They educate and develop the players and it seems at the moment, that Barcelona have the right sporting model."
Finally, Nerlinger hailed his club's family-friendly atmosphere and stadium atmosphere, while also taking a swipe at Italian fan culture.
"For six years, every single game has been sold out. We have families coming to the stadium. It’s not about what it is in Italy - about violence. We have a supportive atmosphere at the stadium which is unique worldwide."
The mancityfans.net football forum
The BEST FORUM in all the land and all the world
