The lack of financial fire-power felt by Germany's top clubs compared to their European neighbours is no excuse for failure in the Champions League, insists Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
"I do not accept the argument about the lack of finances amongst our clubs compared to Europe's top clubs," Klinsmann told Sunday's edition of the Suddeutsche Zeitung. "The Top 15 clubs are all equipped with good international players and in the long-term, it is more important to have a good, hard-working team ethic than a hundred transfers."
Klinsmann's opinion directly contradicts the sentiments of Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. The former striker painted a bleak future for Germany clubs in Europe after the on-going wrangle here concerning the amount of money Bundesliga clubs will get for the screening of live football.
Rummenigge deplored the situation in Germany where the Federal Cartel Office has ruled the current television contract to broadcast live Bundesliga games is a monopoly and must be re-negotiated - which could cost Germany's clubs millions of euros in lost revenue.