FC Bayern München

Founding and Early Years

FC Bayern Munich was founded on 27 February 1900 at Café Gisela, by 17 footballers led by Franz John, breaking away from gymnastics club MTV 1879 München, which had refused to join the newly formed German Football Association (DFB).

Club Evolution

Bayern adopted red and white, deliberately distinct from Bavaria's traditional blue and white, to differentiate themselves from local rivals TSV 1860 München. After the Grünwalder Stadion and the Olympiastadion, the club have played since 2005 at the Allianz Arena, lit up in red for home matches.

Great Managers

Udo Lattek (1970-1975) won three league titles and the 1974 European Cup. Ottmar Hitzfeld (1998-2004) added further Bundesliga titles and the 2001 Champions League. Jupp Heynckes delivered the club's first-ever Treble in 2012-13 (Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, Champions League).

Iconic Players

Franz Beckenbauer, nicknamed "Der Kaiser," revolutionised the libero role in the 1960s-70s. Gerd Müller remains one of the greatest goalscorers in football history. More recently, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, and Philipp Lahm formed the backbone of the 2013 Treble.

Major Achievements

Bayern Munich are Germany's most decorated club with 35 league titles, 21 DFB-Pokal titles, and six Champions League/European Cup titles (1974, 1975, 1976, 2001, 2013, 2020), along with several FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup titles.

The Club Today

Led by Vincent Kompany and chaired by Herbert Hainer, Bayern completed the Bundesliga-DFB-Pokal double in 2025-26, confirming their status as "Der Rekordmeister" and the absolute benchmark of German football.