Long-standing Bayern Munich media director Markus Horwick has announced he will step down from his role with the German champions.
Horwick had been the first full-time press officer in the Bundesliga, and worked for the club for 35 years but notified the club of his intention to step down from his responsibilities after recognising the time to hand over duties to another person had come.
"I'll soon be 60, a point in time when you begin to ponder some of the fundamentals," he told the club's official website, adding: "I'm curious to discover what life looks like away from daily press conferences, the Champions League and line-up announcements -- especially on the weekend... I wish to thank Bayern for the privilege of my incredible time here: I was closely involved in 19 German championships and the winning of a total of 46 trophies."
Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge praised Horwick's work, and said: "Markus Horwick has always worked for Bayern with passion and loyalty, always giving everything for the club," who was credited with shaping the club's public image.
Bayern are now set to restructure their media operations, with Stefan Mennerich taking over the newly created "Media, Digital and Communication" division.
Auch der Co-Trainer Paul #Clement @FCBayern angekommen! @SkySportNewsHD @DeinSkySport pic.twitter.com/QGkBB2olOH
- Torben Hoffmann (@Sky_Torben) July 8, 2016
Mennerich will accompany new Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti during his unveiling on Monday. The former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid boss landed at Munich airport late on Thursday, and was joined by his assistant Paul Clement at the club's training facilities on Friday morning.