"Our team has performed very well on all fronts this season. Heynckes may be retiring, but the old coach hasn't relaxed his grip on the team at all. Our results are improving by the day!"
In a private box at Weser Stadium, seeing Bayern Munich completely dominate Werder Bremen on the pitch, club manager Hoeness began boasting to club president Rummenigge about the results he had achieved with the team.
Although most of the credit for those results belonged to Heynckes, as the club manager, Hoeness had also made invaluable contributions through transfers and by providing the team with all manner of support and guarantees.
Rummenigge nodded approvingly and praised him.
"Not bad. You've done very well, but we still can't let our guard down.
"Our ultimate goal is to lift the Champions League trophy. Winning the league is merely an appetizer. You need to understand that!"
Ever since Rummenigge took over Bayern Munich and became Bayern's president ten years ago, his greatest dream had been to lead Bayern back to the summit of Europe.
Over those ten years, their record in European competition had been poor. Although they had reached the final twice, they had returned empty-handed both times.
For a Giant Club like Bayern, without enough Champions League trophies, their influence across European football could not compare with superclubs such as Real Madrid and Manchester United.
And that was something the Bundesliga giants found hard to accept.
"Yes, Mr. President. Heynckes and I both understand that."
This season, Dortmund had fallen apart, and the other teams posed no threat to Bayern Munich. The league had become a training ground for them to prepare for European competition.
Heynckes had repeatedly tested new tactical approaches in league matches before taking them into the Champions League.
Rummenigge nodded and turned his