According to Stefan Effenberg, Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski from FC Bayern should consider ending their national team careers.
“I would give them the advice: focus on FC Bayern and maybe resign from the national team. The World Cup in Qatar in the middle of the season will be extremely exhausting and therefore a danger for the season. At the age of 32, 33 or 34 years, I have to listen to my body and think about how long it will work,” wrote the former Munich player in his “t-online”-Column.
Despite otherwise strong performances in the cup in Gladbach (0: 5) and in the Champions League duels with FC Villarreal, Müller and Lewandowski “did not get their best performance, i.e. in the most important games of the season,” said Effenberg.
The 53-year-old added: “At least I don’t want to rule out that age played a role – or the fact that they’ve been chasing the same titles at this high level and under pressure for ten, twelve years. Maybe at one or the other has run out of time. Or at least he has to change something in order to be in top form and present for the club in the most important games.”
Great “concerns” about FC Bayern
According to his own statement, the former international is “worried” about Bayern Munich. Effenberg explained: “I don’t see Bayern at the top level for the next few years at the moment. And of course that’s also due to the squad.”
There are “simply too many players who may not have the quality,” said the 1992 European Vice Champion. In this context, Effenberg mentioned the reservists Marc Roca, Bouna Sarr, Marcel Sabitzer, Corentin Tolisso, Omar Richards and Tanguy Nianzou.
The 370-time Bundesliga player speculated that the squad change in the summer could be “greater than expected”.
Stefan Effenberg demands “signs” from Bayern club bosses
Effenberg also sees the new club management around CEO Oliver Kahn and sports director Hasan Salihamidzic as having a duty: “I hope and assume that Kahn and Salihamidzic will speak plain text internally. It is crucial that they deal with this tough. The players must be clear that they have to ask themselves: How did this happen? And what lessons can I learn from it for the future?”
With regard to future planning and the much-discussed handling of the contracts with Müller, Lewandowski, Manuel Neuer and Serge Gnabry, which expire in 2023, Effenberg demanded “a sign” from Kahn or Salihamidzic. “They also owe it to the fans. Where is the problem in making a public announcement? The talk must finally stop.”