Frankfurt, Germany – Bayern Munich Honorary President Uli Hoeneß has delivered a pointed message to Eintracht Frankfurt, advising the club against consistently selling its top talent. Speaking at an event hosted by the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, Hoeneß emphasized the importance of building and maintaining a strong squad, rather than relying on transfer revenue. The comments arrive as Frankfurt navigates a challenging season following several high-profile player departures.
“Personally, I’m not a substantial fan of selling good players,” Hoeneß stated. “I always say at FC Bayern: we’re a club that buys players, not one that sells them.” He directly addressed Eintracht board spokesman Axel Hellmann, adding, “Axel Hellmann will come to realize that, in the long run, you lose substance with every sale. It’s nice to get 50 or 60 million [euros] once in a while, but what are the consequences?”
Hoeneß’s remarks are particularly relevant given Eintracht Frankfurt’s recent transfer activity. The club has generated significant income through player sales in recent years, including the departures of Randal Kolo Muani to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023 for €95 million, Omar Marmoush to Manchester City in January 2025 for €75 million, and Hugo Ekitiké to Liverpool FC in the summer of 2025 for €95 million. While financially beneficial, these sales have arguably impacted the team’s performance on the pitch.
Bayern’s Spending Power and the Harry Kane Example
The contrast between Frankfurt’s selling strategy and Bayern’s approach was further highlighted by Hoeneß, who discussed the club’s willingness to invest heavily in top players. He used the example of Harry Kane, who joined Bayern in 2023 for a reported €100 million, as evidence of their commitment to acquiring elite talent.
“Today I’d buy him for 150 million,” Hoeneß declared. “Since he’s a dream for Bayern Munich. A global figurehead. A good character, a role model for our youth, our 18-year-olds. He takes them in his arms. He tells them how to shoot the ball.” This statement underscores Bayern’s belief that investing in star players not only improves the team’s performance but likewise enhances its brand and provides valuable leadership for younger players.
It’s worth noting that Bayern has historically not received massive transfer fees for its own players. Robert Lewandowski’s move to FC Barcelona in 2022, Lucas Hernandez’s transfer to PSG in 2023, and Matthijs de Ligt’s move to Manchester United in 2024 all brought in around €45 million – significantly less than the sums Frankfurt has received for its departing stars.
Frankfurt’s Struggles and the Search for Stability
Eintracht Frankfurt’s recent success in generating transfer revenue hasn’t translated into consistent on-field results. The team currently sits seventh in the Bundesliga, seven points behind Bayer Leverkusen for a European qualification spot. They also experienced early exits from both the Champions League and the DFB-Pokal this season.
These struggles led to the dismissal of head coach Dino Toppmöller earlier this year, with Albert Riera taking the reins. While Riera has overseen a slight improvement in results – eleven points from six Bundesliga matches – the team is still searching for consistency and a clear identity. The loss of key players like Marmoush and Ekitiké has undoubtedly contributed to their difficulties, particularly with replacement Jonathan Burkardt hampered by injuries.
Hoeneß’s comments serve as a reminder that sustained success requires more than just shrewd financial management. Building a cohesive and competitive squad requires retaining key players and investing in quality replacements, a strategy Bayern Munich has consistently employed.
The situation at Eintracht Frankfurt highlights the challenges faced by clubs that operate primarily as “selling clubs.” While generating transfer revenue can provide short-term financial benefits, it can also hinder long-term development and stability. The question now is whether Frankfurt will heed Hoeneß’s advice and prioritize player retention in the coming transfer windows.
Frankfurt will gaze to continue their climb up the Bundesliga table when they face Borussia Mönchengladbach on March 29th at Borussia-Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 15:30 local time (14:30 UTC).
