Hardly any player has had such an impact on FC Bayern in recent decades as Thomas Müller. It is almost certain that the 36-year-old will one day return to the club he loves in a new role. Even the office of club president might not be too big for Müller.
Herbert Hainer, who was recently re-elected and confirmed for his third term as club president of FC Bayern, can only imagine the 2014 world champion in a leadership role at FCB.
“He can work operationally for us, he can become an ambassador, he can certainly become my successor or whoever is president after that,” said Hainer in an interview with the “Abendzeitung”.
“He knows the club inside and out. He’s an intelligent, smart guy who now has experience abroad. So there are a lot of things that come together that recommend him,” Hainer added appreciatively of Müller.
Müller has been playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps in the North American MLS since the summer. According to Hainer, the step abroad should help him advance in many ways: “The time abroad will make Müller even more mature, more international and more experienced. And I would like him to be able to work at FC Bayern again, in whatever capacity.”
Over 750 competitive games for FC Bayern
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Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, a member of the supervisory board, also recently discussed the 36-year-old’s return. However, this is not yet an issue for Müller himself. “It’s all a thing of the future,” he explained on “Bayerischer Rundfunk”. He knows his “skill set”, but doesn’t yet know whether he sees himself more as a coach or an official – or whether he even wants to pursue these paths.
Müller, who had already played in various youth teams in Munich, is the club’s record player with over 750 competitive games. Numerous national and international titles, including two Champions League triumphs, characterize his unparalleled career.
It still remains to be seen whether Müller will actually return to the club’s management after his Canadian adventure. But one thing is clear: the current decision-makers at FC Bayern can hardly imagine anyone who embodies the “Mia-san-mia” feeling more credibly.