A close title race might have brought some excitement, but the Germans are still way behind other top leagues financially. That many players are available on a free transfer every summer, because most clubs cannot afford lengthy contracts, is perhaps the best indicator.

Rummenigge clearly believes that the Bundesliga bosses are to blame.

"This season has been one of the best in sporting terms for German football but economically we are no longer capable of competing," Rummenigge told Handelsblatt.

"In the past we were the most powerful championship in this domain, but for the past 10 years we've been resting on our laurels, notably in terms of the marketing of our championship."

"When I see that television rights in other countries are negotiated for 20 million euros and that the Premiership got 105 million euros from Hong Kong, we will not catch England."

Club president Franz Beckenbauer also backed Rummenigge: "Bayern doesn't have the money to win the Champions League, which still doesn't stop them from having a chance of making a name for themselves."

Bayern have admitted a few times now that despite being the richest club in Germany, they cannot compete with the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United, something they could until last decade.

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