Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was one of the founders and then chairman of the ECA for a long time. The former FC Bayern boss is now being given a special honor.
The European Club Association has honored Karl-Heinz Rummenigge with a special honor. The ECA is introducing a prize for excellent achievements in club management and names it after the former national player, long-time CEO of FC Bayern and co-founder and first president of the ECA. This was intended to honor the “extraordinary achievements” of the now 69-year-old.
“I feel deeply honored that this award is named after me, especially because the issue of club management is crucial to football,” said Rummenigge. “The development of football clubs into sustainably managed institutions is one of the most important tasks of our time and I am very grateful that this legacy is continued through this award.”
16 years ago, Rummenigge laid the foundation for today’s ECA, which now has more than 700 clubs as members. “His contributions will continue to inspire future generations of club leaders,” said current ECA chairman Nasser al-Khelaifi.
The first winner of the “Karl Heinz Rummenigge Award for excellent achievements in club management” is VfL Bochum. The Bundesliga club was recognized last week for the “Advisory Board of the Future” initiative, a program to strengthen leadership, sustainability and long-term strategic planning within the club.