Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has lashed out at club president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge for publicly questioning his decisions in Thursday’s 2-2 home draw against Bolton Wanderers in the UEFA Cup.
Rummenigge had criticised Hitzfeld for replacing key players such as Franck Ribery and Bastian Schweinsteiger for the final half hour with Bayern appearing in control of the tie at 2-1.
“I hope I know the basic maths of football and I try to apply that,” said Hitzfeld, who studied mathematics at university.
“I’m really annoyed,” Rummenigge had told journalists after the draw.
“It would have been very easy to win this one and advance. The spectators have a right to see the best team play. Football is not mathematics. You can’t calculate everything.”
Hitzfeld justified his changes by reminding Rummenigge of the importance of the forthcoming Bundesliga clash with Stuttgart.
“I believe that I found the right mixture so that we can win in Stuttgart,” he said,.
“It was a reasonable decision. We need to get back on track at Stuttgart after two league draws.”
Hitzfeld also said he was not worried about Rummenigge’s attack.
“I’m used to stormy weather,” he said. “You shouldn’t let yourself be influenced by such petty issues.”
