He was only in the professional matchday squad once in five and a half seasons at FC Bayern – and yet he left very, very deep footprints with the Munich team. On Friday, the German record champions said an emotional farewell to veteran Timo Kern. The captain of FC Bayern II is ending his career early at the end of the year at his own request.
With seven goals and one assist in 14 games in the Bavarian Regional League, midfielder Timo Kern has once again been one of the defining players of FC Bayern II in the 2024/25 season, but from January onwards the second representative of the German industry leader will have to replace the captain of the second team. The Munich team confirmed this on Friday.
“The contract extension last summer included the option for Timo to leave at his own request during the winter break. Timo has now taken this option. We would have liked to see him continue as a player with us, but we are also very pleased that that Timo will remain with us in another role in player development,” said Markus Weinzierl, sporting director at FC Bayern Campus, explaining that Kern is hanging up his football boots.
Never played for the FC Bayern professionals
Kern moved from Waldhof Mannheim to FC Bayern II in the summer of 2019, for whom he has played 140 competitive games, scored 51 goals and prepared 23 more goals.
However, he was never active for the professionals, but was at least in the Bundesliga matchday squad once on January 7, 2022 in the 1-2 win against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Kern also once played for Karlsruher SC in the 2nd Bundesliga (September 24, 2010).
“I had already toyed with the idea of ending my career in the summer. At that time, my family and I had already planned to return to our home in the Electoral Palatinate. Now I’m doing it six months later and I’m really looking forward to the new one Task as a loan player manager,” the 34-year-old explained his move.
His new role further binds Kern to FC Bayern.
In a post on X, numerous of Kern’s companions said goodbye. Among others, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Sebastian Hoeneß.