“It’s said all the time”
Because of Goretzka: Bayern boss angry on TV show
December 9, 2024 – 6:00 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
There has been speculation about Leon Goretzka’s future at FC Bayern for some time. Sports director Max Eberl is particularly upset about one thing.
The German record champions have been concerned about personnel since the start of the season: What will happen to Leon Goretzka? Before the season, the midfielder seemed to be on the sidelines, but has recently been an integral part of the team again with regular playing times.
Nevertheless, speculation about a possible farewell for the 29-year-old in the summer or during the winter break continues. However, the pay TV broadcaster Sky recently reported that Goretzka had decided to stay in Munich at least until the end of the season.
Bayern sports director Max Eberl has now vented his anger about the reporting about the professional: “It is constantly said that he is on the sales list,” said the 51-year-old angrily on Sunday evening in the program “Blickpunkt Sport” on BR television. And emphasized that they spoke transparently with the player last summer: “We told Leon: We will do Palhinha (João Palhinha, who was signed for 51 million euros, editor’s note), it can be difficult for you. ” However, he was also assured: “If you decide to stay, you will be 100 percent a member of FC Bayern from September 1st.”
Bayern, Eberl continued, would have been prepared to let Goretzka go if that had been the player’s wish. “I think you can have this openness and transparency as a club without immediately putting a player offside.” Goretzka is now urgently needed: “Thank God he’s still there now. But you can talk to players openly and honestly.”
Over the course of the season so far, speculation about the professional’s possible departure from Munich had gained momentum, as Goretzka repeatedly alternated between being on the bench and playing in the starting line-up. He only played nine minutes in the first seven Bundesliga games, but Bayern coach Vincent Kompany relied more on Goretzka in the last few games and started him in the last three games across all competitions – also because Aleksandar Pavlović and Palhinha were injured were missing.
Goretzka moved to the German record champions from FC Schalke 04 on a free transfer in 2018; his current contract runs until 2026.