Because of three people I am particularly happy for FC Bayern to win the championship

Let's be honest: Who, after a decade of smothering the Bundesliga, still begrudged FC Bayern the obligatory, routine championship party at the end of each season? German football was bored by the monotony of Munich and longed for variety. For excitement. For drama.

That's what fans have experienced over the past two years. Pure drama in Munich, as FC Bayern degenerated into a chaotic club. Meanwhile, in the West, a new rival emerged in the shadow of Borussia Dortmund. Bayer Leverkusen was actually able to break the Bavarian spell and (finally) dethrone the record and serial champions.

A year later, FC Bayern is back there, celebrating its 34th championship with two games to go. Back to business? Back to business? Everything back to normal? The hierarchy restored?

When FC Bayern wins the championship, old reflexes quickly resonate among football fans and the media (bye!). The allure of demonization – which the Munich team has truly earned through its great successes – always transforms the responsive anti-love into pride and a sense of honor.

But is this title like many others? Was it so predictable? So self-evident?

And how much more important: is it really not something FC Bayern deserves outside of Munich's city limits (and Giesing!)? I think so, and that's down to three people.

The Bavarian native will leave the club after the season, marking the end of an era, a dynasty. Müller's departure triggers unexpected emotions even among non-Bayern fans.

He shaped the league and German football like no other for almost two decades. His playing style, his grin, his celebration, his Bavarian accent – ​​there will probably never be another like him.

It's only right that Müller leaves with one final title. He's held the trophy twelve times, and on Saturday, when he plays at his home, the Allianz Arena, for the last time, he'll add a 13th. No one has won the Bundesliga more often. "He leaves as a legend," said national coach Julian Nagelsmann.

Despite numerous goalscoring records and awards, he was never able to triumph in England with Tottenham Hotspur or with the national team (losing two European Championship finals). And just as he moved to FC Bayern, his streak of twelve consecutive title wins ended.

Kane was considered cursed, ridiculed and mocked.

That's over now. Even the English press is celebrating. "The Telegraph" wrote, for example: "This should silence all the idiots who claim Harry Kane has never won anything. Now he has the winner's medal to cement his place among the greatest of his generation."

Kane has been one of the best strikers in the world for years, he is England's record goalscorer, was named top scorer in Germany and is on the right track again this year.

And off the field, he's such a humble, down-to-earth guy. A loyal man, married to his childhood sweetheart, and someone who, despite chronic lack of success, only reluctantly left his youth club in the autumn of his career.

Anyone who doesn't begrudge Kane the title has never loved football.

And then there's Vincent Kompany, the coach. He arrived last summer as Thomas Tuchel's successor. After Julian Nagelsmann, Ralf Rangnick, and Xabi Alonso publicly declined, the Belgian was at least fourth choice, quickly labeled a stopgap solution.

But Kompany maneuvered his team through every doubt, personnel shortage, and weak phase. He deployed an entertaining brand of high-risk football, but also proved adaptable after a 4-1 defeat at FC Barcelona, ​​forming a defensive wall that didn't concede a goal for weeks.

It was always loud in Munich. After the disappointing cup exit against Leverkusen, for example, during the tough contract negotiations with Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, and, last but not least, Joshua Kimmich. After the announced departure of Thomas Müller and also after the Champions League knockout against Inter Milan.

Kompany, however, exuded calm and poise at all times. Unlike his predecessor Thomas Tuchel, he knew how to extinguish fires and not fan them further. A skilled moderator who always appears friendly and likeable, he has long since won over the Munich fans.

Kompany, Kane and Müller - for these three people alone, FC Bayern deserves the title this season.