FC Bayern Story of the Year?

[ncfcb]

So, the year is almost done and with Hitzfeld and Sagnol both staying, what was the club's biggest story of 2007?

I voted for Hitzfeld. Seeing Magath go was a relief, but seeing OH return was a shocker, and seeing how this season went the last 2 months adds spice to it.

... if you enjoyed voting here, why not give my blog some love and vote over there as well?:)

[SoftTackle]

I voted "No Champions League" because it was the impetus for the big signings, which is the other big story.

[ForeverRed]

Cool thread.

I voted for us getting Ribery. I never thought it would be possible, he is a bonafied world class player, amongst the best players in the world and with Arsenal and madrid wanting him I never imagined we could land him.

On top of that, he has been our best player and the reason we have been able to play such great football (for at least half of die hinrunde anyways). And he'll continue to be the star at the club for years to come.

I was shocked when OH returned as well but at least that was a possibility, albeit a long shot.

[ncfcb]

I came very close to voting for Ribery, for exactly those reasons. But OH just came out of nowhere and hit me upside the head. At least for Ribery there was some anticipation and hope.

[BayernWake]

The Ribery signing blew me away.

[Basti Fantasti]

Has to be the signing of Ribery, what a sensational coup for our team! Another sensational event this year that was omitted was the resignation of Sebastian Deisler! But in turn that led to the acquiring of one of the most talented prospects in world football!

I accept missing out on the champions league as just being one of those elements in the ebb and flow of football. For now things seem to be improving in leaps and bounds.

[Duncan Idaho]

Ribery without a doubt, because only the combined effects of a completely f***ed up season and a necessary change in transfer policy - as a reaction to the season failure - made this signing possible. Under the usual circumstances in the years before this transfer never would have taken place and we now could admire Franck's skills at Madrid or anywhere else.

I also have a bit of "personal ego pleasure" in this signing as I thought of Ribery being the solution for the midfield void due to Ballack's imminent departure in his last season here for Bayern. As Franck has thouroughly showed so far my judgement wasn't far off!

[eissman]

Great thread DI!!!

Man, this is really tough. One question: Was Deisler's retirement before or after Jan 2007? I can't remember, but I would have choosen that as it was just like the bottom dropping out of an already abysmal season.

However, mine would be a toss up between:
- Hitzfeld's hiring
- Ribery's signing

Hitzfeld's signing caught me blindsided. I knew Magath was likely out, but not so abruptly. But the kicker was to see Ottmar's name as the replacement. That was a complete suprise!!

However, I think I would have to say Franck Ribery signing was the most joyfully suprising thing that occured in 2007. To me, Luca Toni and Franck Ribery were two of the most entertaining players I had seen in WM06, and personally had them on my own Bayern wish list. To get Toni was awesome... to beat ALL the competition and OUTBID them for Franck Ribery was freaking AMAZING!!! It proved to me that BAyern management had got it right for once, didn't disappoint us with a 'typical big name' signing for Bayern (which would not be big at all in the past!), and proved that they were serious about changing things from the previous term which were dasturdly (sp?).

I choose Franck! France's Player of the Year.

[ncfcb]

Missing out on the CL didn't bother me at all, except of course for the prestige. Most Supporters prefer the UC, because it offers a much wider variety, instead of yet again playing against Madrid. How boring. Seriously.

[eissman]

I voted "No Champions League" because it was the impetus for the big signings, which is the other big story.

This is an excellent point, but I think that Bayern management still held the cards in their hand to bitterly disappoint us, the fan, with some less-than-stellar signings as we have witnessed in the past. They proved to not be "too cheap" and opened the coffers to find the RIGHT players!

[Dead Fingers]

Not making the CL..Out of the ashes...another phoenix is born.

I detest singling out single player transfers, as Bayern is bigger than one player....let Madrid fans go and do that. That we rely on him too much really bugs the hell out of me. Reminds me of putting our game plan on Ballack's shoulders.

[Basti Fantasti]

Great thread DI!!!

Man, this is really tough. One question: Was Deisler's retirement before or after Jan 2007? I can't remember, but I would have choosen that as it was just like the bottom dropping out of an already abysmal season.

It was neither before or after, but towards the beginning. It was right at the end of the winter training camp last year, which was just inside january if i recall correctly. He had just recovered from his last injury. I remember all the hype surrounding his return back to the team and he said he was feeling good at the beginning of the week then by the end he gave an official press announcement that he was quitting.

It was a dark day for German football and Bayern. But Ribery has made getting over Deisler's loss a lot easier. Had it not been for the amazing summer transfers i'm sure there would be a lot more people on these boards mentioning the loss of Deisler.

[eissman]

It was neither before or after, but towards the beginning. It was right at the end of the winter training camp last year, which was just inside january if i recall correctly. He had just recovered from his last injury. I remember all the hype surrounding his return back to the team and he said he was feeling good at the beginning of the week then by the end he gave an official press announcement that he was quitting.

It was a dark day for German football and Bayern. But Ribery has made getting over Deisler's loss a lot easier. Had it not been for the amazing summer transfers i'm sure there would be a lot more people on these boards mentioning the loss of Deisler.


Thanks Basti for clearing that up. I wasn't sure but remember it seemingly like the bottom of the Bayern 2nd term was falling out all at once!

IMO, this was the biggest Bayern news story to affect Bayern last year.
The "confusion" of this thread is are we voting for "personal" favs or what we think was the most newsworthy for Bayern as a club?

I voted for my personal favorite story of last year. Although I agree with DF about Bayern being a club and not one person (aka Ballack), to me the signing of Ribery was the official end of misery from the previous year and the true beginning of hope for the next. It was an 'inspirational' newsworthy story for me.

Can I get an "AMEN"? ;)

[Dead Fingers]

I voted for my personal favorite story of last year. Although I agree with DF about Bayern being a club and not one person (aka Ballack), to me the signing of Ribery was the official end of misery from the previous year and the true beginning of hope for the next. It was an 'inspirational' newsworthy story for me.

Can I get an "AMEN"?

Damn, I was hoping someone would take the bait and run with it. :D

When we can figure out how to have a more balanced attack and not just on the left side, will I think we are out of our misery. :D

[eissman]

Damn, I was hoping someone would take the bait and run with it. :D

When we can figure out how to have a more balanced attack and not just on the left side, will I think we are out of our misery. :D

Deviously little Scrooge today, aren't you?!

[Dead Fingers]

Deviously little Scrooge today, aren't you?!

After a year of putting up with this crew, I get to play Satan (not the one related to Real Madrid, but the one with the good booze and cool music collection) for a few days.

:D

[eissman]

After a year of putting up with this crew, I get to play Satan (not the one related to Real Madrid, but the one with the good booze and cool music collection) for a few days.

:D

NO worries, Loius Cipher. (movie? guess?)

[Dead Fingers]

NO worries, Loius Cipher. (movie? guess?)

One of my favorite Mickey Rourke movies.

[Dead Fingers]

To somewhat back on topic, as I said before I don't like singling out specific transfers..However, it might have been closer for me if the option was "Bayern's new transfer policy".

[tracylynn]

I also voted for the Ribery transfer because, well, I was shocked beyond belief that Bayern got him. With all the talk going around saying that he did not want to go to Germany and how other big clubs were after him, I felt that Bayern had no chance in hell in getting him. Boy, was I wrong.