The former Bayern Munich CEO stated this as he praised his former club over the way Bayern thrashed Barca 3-0 at the Nou Camp in their opening group game of the 2021/22 UEFA Champion League match.

He said Barca look different without Messi, a player who has been a key figure for the club in the last two decades.

He told German publication Bild. “Bayern played outstandingly well and deserved to win. It’s too early to talk about favourites. [The competition] only really starts with the knockout phase. If you look at the team, the way they [Barca] performed tactically. Without Messi, their souls have been ripped out. They are facing difficult times.  It was imperative to sell him. The Spanish league has scored an own goal with him.”

Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said in a club statement “The performance of our team in recent weeks and the results have shown us that there was need for action. Uli Hoeness, Hasan Salihamidzic and I had an open and serious conversation with Niko on this basis on Sunday with the consensual result that Niko is no longer coach of FC Bayern. We all regret this development. I would like to thank Niko Kovac on behalf of FC Bayern for his work, especially for winning the doubles this past season.”

Assistant coach Hans Flick will take charge of Bayern’s Champions League clash with Olympiakos on Wednesday and for next Saturday’s key clash with Borussia Dortmund.

Long-time president Uli Hoeness announced his retirement after almost half a century at the club as a player, general director and president on the same day the Bavarians appointed another successful former player to succeed current CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Kahn, who won eight league titles between 1994 and 2008 with the Bavarians, signed a five-year contract after the board voted unanimously in favour of the move in Thursday’s meeting.

Kahn said “It is a great honour to initially become a member of the board and then take over the chairman role at Bayern Munich. I am deeply linked with the club that has marked my life considerably.”