Bayern’s sports boss Max Eberl only assured on Friday that Thomas Müller would continue at FC Bayern if he wanted to. According to “Bild”, the club veteran will probably have to accept a loss in salary. With a figure like Müller, this is absurd. After all, it’s not just performance on the pitch that counts, but also off the pitch. In basketball, identification figures like Müller are referred to as “glue guys”. Literally translated, these are guys who glue the team together, i.e. hold it together. The contribution of such players is essential to the success of their team – and it comes at a price.
Joshua Kimmich also looked like a salary cut at the end of last year. Now, according to the newspaper mentioned above, the tide could turn if Kimmich stays. Because: He is being courted – and rightly so. Kimmich has been in the starting line-up 15 times, scored once in the league this season and contributed four assists to the current top position. Even if Kimmich could soon celebrate his tenth anniversary with the record champions: if another club shows him more appreciation in the form of a higher salary, that is crucial.
It’s not just about money. It’s about status, hierarchy, reputation within the team and in world football. A leading player or captain cannot simply be fobbed off with less money.
Müller, Kimmich, Neuer and Davies have shaped FC Bayern for years. They delivered their performance, regardless of the coach. And there haven’t been that few of them in recent years. Either the club pays what the players are worth – or they have to break up their tents in Munich. It would be presumptuous to think that they are only staying because of FC Bayern’s business plan.