Julius OkorieGermany and Bayern Munich legend Thomas Müller is on the verge of leaving his childhood club after 25 years that saw him win lots of collective and individual laurels.
The 35-year-old attacking midfielder who has scored over 150 goals for Bayern Munich in close to 500 appearances, confirmed on Saturday, that the club will not extend his contract when it expires in the summer.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAlthough, that is not what he would have wished, the veteran, nonetheless remains hopeful of his future in the round leather game.
Muller said he did not like how the contract saga played out “back and forth in public” in recent months, but he “felt the appreciation from everyone involved after my long time with Bayern”.
“The special connection to the club and our fantastic fans will always remain,” he said.
Muller came through the Bayern junior system winning two Champions Leagues, along with 12 Bundesliga titles.
Despite the worry of the forthcoming emotional departure, the focus for now according to him is “bringing the league title back to Munich” as well as reaching this season’s Champions League final, which will be held in Bayern’s Allianz Arena home.
Bayern on Saturday, issued a statement revealing that Muller would be honoured with a testimonial match and that the midfielder would play at the Club World Cup in July.
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“Thomas Muller had the definition of a Bavarian fairytale career,” club president Herbert Hainer said.
Muller was born in the nearby Bavarian town of Weilheim and joined the club aged 10, making his debut under Coach Jurgen Klinsmann in 2008 against a Hamburg side featuring current Bayern coach Vincent Kompany.
A one-club player, Muller’s 743 matches for Bayern in all competitions is the most in the team’s history. He has registered 247 goals and 273 assists for the club in that time.
In recent seasons, Muller has started from the bench more regularly, leading to growing speculation he could leave the club.
The midfielder did not reveal where he would play next season, although German media has speculated he could make a late-career move to the United States to play in the MLS.
Muller has long been earmarked for a role in the club’s administration once his playing career ends, it is however not known yet whether he is thinking in that direction.
A 2014 World Cup winner with Germany, Mueller retired from international duty just after Euro 2024.He played for his country 131 times over a 14-year period, scoring 45 goals.
Bayern Sporting Director, Max Eberl, said in a statement the decision not to continue with Muller was “anything but easy,” adding, “we’re putting the focus on the future.”
Bayern face Inter Milan at home in the first Leg Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday with the return game the following Wednesday.
An injury to Jamal Musiala in Friday’s 3-1 win at Augsburg could means Muller is in line for a rare start against the Italian champions.
In the league, Bayern sit six points clear of defending champions Bayer Leverkusen, who consolidated their second position on the log with a lone goal victory over lowly Heidenheim earlier today at the Voith-Arena.
In some other matches played in the Bundesliga Saturday,Stuttgart hammered Bochum 4-0 away, Borrusia Dortmund nailed freiburg 4-1 away while RB Liepzig defeated Hoffenheim 3-1.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
