Mats Hummels stops, Thomas Müller probably leaves the Bundesliga. Big changes for two big players who will not only be missing on the pitch.
“I think we won the game.” -Player X after a 2-0 victory.
“The opponent may have wanted it more than we did.” – Player Y for a late goal.
“We just have to knock over the buck.” – Player Z who is in crisis with his team.
Obvious, empty or phrased statements like this often fall when players step on the television migrats after the final whistle. They (almost) never came from Thomas Müller and Mats Hummels. Both took time, listened to the questions carefully and went into the open exchange with the reporters. They gave insights into the thoughts of an athlete, into the tactical plan of the team or into their own emotional world.
They were honest and directly. They also put on with a journalist and let their emotions run wild. They were almost always real and human. Not the product of a club’s own media training, which joins an interchangeable phrase to the next and is waiting for the interview to be over. That arrived at fans and reporters. But with Hummels’ career end and Müller’s farewell from Munich, and possibly also from Germany, their voices will be missing after the games.
There would be much more of them.
For fear of negative headlines, the clubs should not train the clubs, to express their own opinions and assessments, but rather encourage them to express their thoughts well. It is not just about the most provocative or loud statements. It’s about the background, expertise. Because that is far too often missing when the microphones approach. It is not only well received by the media, but especially among fans for whom these interviews are conducted.
At Bayern, Müller was most recently considered a kind of “Foreign Minister” who represented the association in the media, even if he himself played little. But he knew that this was one of his strengths with which he could help the team. And he did that. He understood media work, respected reporters and took them seriously. There was always a pinch of humor, a cheeky saying and a wide Müller laugh. A suitable mix for which he was rightly valued by journalists and fans.
Young players should take an example of guys such as Müller and Hummels and recognize what opportunities are to sharpen their own profile in this way. To get out of the crowd. The highest priority should of course always have the performance on the pitch. But if the performance is right next to the square, the fans are even happier. So: have to change less “in the mood” and obvious “belief”, prefer more honesty and openness.
How do you rate Mats Hummels’ end of career? Write an e-mail to [email protected]. Please use the subject “Hummels” and justify.