Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeneß said that tours to Asia are "necessary for clubs to establish themselves in new markets but admitted they are an issue for managers," according to Mark Lovell of ESPN.com. The club will face Arsenal on July 19 in Shanghai, where it set up its own office earlier this year. Bayern Manager Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly "unhappy" with the 13-day trip, and Hoeneß said, "This is clearly a problem for every coach. ... On our return, we still have three weeks. When I was playing, we never enjoyed more time to prepare. These three weeks have to suffice in order to get the team fit." He added, "When you consider the big clubs on this planet -- Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester City -- they all go on tour. If you want to conquer new markets, you have to go there." Top clubs from England, Spain and Italy "have been more active in Asia for longer" according to Bundesliga side Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke. Watzke said that Germany's top clubs are "obliged to generate significantly more TV revenue" that "will also benefit the smaller clubs." Dortmund Sporting Dir Michael Zorc said that there was "no alternative" but to tour Asia again (ESPN.com, 7/10).
