- Bayer boss: We decide for ourselves
Bayer Leverkusen's CEO Fernando Carro has responded to the criticism from Munich's small forward regarding the preparations of the works club. "We are fully aware of the responsibility that has increased with the titles and we will also invest personnel in this project. But in the end, we decide on our season preparation," said the chairman of the management of the German football champions to the "Cologne City-Anzeiger".
Bayern Munich's finance director Michael Diederich had recently criticized that Leverkusen, as the title holder this summer, had waived a major international tour. "It would have been nice if the champion had also made the journey. It must be in our common interest to hold the flags of German football high internationally," said Diederich, but also addressed this appeal to all other Bundesliga clubs.
Carro: Criticism rather general
"What we achieved in the past season has a much more significant impact on the appeal and value of the Bundesliga than any journey around the globe," said Carro. Moreover, Bayer had been to Mexico and the USA in the past two years.
This year, the circumstances were different. "Our entire organization and the people behind it were strained to their limits and beyond by the extraordinary season. Therefore, we weighed, prioritized, and decided together to conduct our preparation in Germany," explained Carro.
"I think these circumstances should be taken into account. I find the criticism rather general - but I accept it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I express mine often too," said the Bayer boss.
Other clubs, including Bayern Munich's finance director Michael Diederich, have expressed concerns about Bayer Leverkusen's decision to skip a major international tour as the title holder this summer. Carro acknowledges that the criticism is generally directed towards Bayer, but he believes that the extraordinary circumstances of the previous season led to their decision to prepare in Germany.
