Bayern call on other clubs to organize more trips abroad

Bayern Munich officials called on other Bundesliga clubs to organize more trips abroad and embrace internationalization.

"Internationalization isn't a solo effort by a single club, rather, it's something we all have to do together in the Bundesliga and the Bundesliga must also clearly get on board," Bayern president Herbert Hainer said ahead of Friday's friendly match against Aston Villa in Hong Kong.

Bayern are currently on their pre-season summer tour, which also included a stop in South Korea.

"We need much more active support from the entire Bundesliga, not just from one or two clubs, but from the whole league," Hainer added.

Some people might think of "internationalization as just a bonus," said Rouven Kasper, who joined the club as head of marketing and sales in January.

"But from our perspective, it's everyone's duty to go out into the world," he said.

"Our colleagues need to realize that it's not just us, along with one or two others, who are steering this whole internationalization ship," Kasper said, "but that they, too, need to pack their cleats and that it's mandatory to travel abroad. And that's definitely not happening enough."

Bayern expect their current summer tour to be a great success. Fan enthusiasm was high and "we also set an all-time sales record for merchandise," Kasper said.