Pep Guardiola, the coach of Bayern Munich, has voiced his support for Uli Hoeness, the resigning president of the club who was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for tax fraud.
Guardiola stated, “He is and will remain my friend.” Despite Hoeness’ legal troubles, he continues to receive support from various quarters within the club, including Guardiola, sponsors, and shareholders.
Guardiola expressed his sentiments during a press conference ahead of Bayern’s match against Leverkusen, acknowledging the significance of Hoeness’ contributions to the club. He emphasized the importance of respecting Hoeness and continuing to uphold the principles he instilled in the team.
Reflecting on his own limitations in expressing his feelings in German, Guardiola expressed regret but conveyed his admiration for Hoeness and his hope for his eventual return.
Meanwhile, Hoeness himself made two significant decisions: to resign from his positions within the club and to forego any further legal appeals. In a statement, he accepted the court’s verdict, describing his tax evasion as the biggest mistake of his life. He also expressed his deep connection to Bayern, vowing to remain associated with the club despite stepping down from his official roles.
