VFF Secretary General and VFF Office Chairman Le Hoai Anh receives a gift Bayern Munich T-shirt.

VietNamNet - Martin Haegele, Head of International Relations Division of Bayern Munich Club met with Secretary General Tran Quoc Tuan of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on April 26. 

According to Mr Martin, Vietnam is a top priority for Bayern Munich in Southeast Asia. This is the third visit to Vietnam by Haegele. As on previous occasions, he brings with him some project proposals for marketing cooperation, brand-name advertising, talent encouragement, and player exchanges. 

In 2004, Haegele had the idea to invite Vietnam’s U-19 squad to Germany to participate in the indoor football tournament for young players organized by the DaimlerChrysler Group. 

Talking about the purpose of the trip, Mr Martin said that in Asia, the Bayern Munich brand hasn’t developed as strongly as UK’s Manchester United or Spain’s Real Madrid, while this is one of their most potential markets in the world.  

The club aims to advertise its name as the top football club in Germany throughout Asia. The advertising will not be limited to the two main markets of China and Japan, but will be pitched in other countries, including Vietnam. 

“Germany’s population is over 80 million and it is the same for Vietnam, and the two countries have the same characteristic - a passion for football. That’s why I believe that cooperation between the Bayern Munich club and VFF will yield good results,” he said. 

According to him, if VFF agrees, Bayern Munich will send the team of its former stars to Vietnam this year, including Lothar Matthaeus. It is possible that before Asian Cup 2007, the club will send a team with its current stars to play a friendly match in Vietnam.  

“That’s to help you have the best preparation for the final round of Asian Cup 2007,” Haegele said. 

(Source: VFF)