Laimer jokes about extension
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Vincent Kompany was the last to leave the Bayern locker room with the DFB Cup. And the coach passed the golden trophy on to striker Harry Kane, who gave one last interview in the catacombs of Berlin’s Olympic Stadium. It was a demonstrative gesture for the man of the evening, who with his hat trick after the break almost single-handedly ensured the German champions ultimately won 3-0 in the final against VfB Stuttgart.
The hymns of praise rained down on “King Kane” during the long Munich double night in the capital. The 32-year-old Englishman himself spoke of “one of the most beautiful nights in my career”. He raved about “a fantastic season, even if we were a bit unfortunate in the Champions League.” In the semi-finals, Bayern narrowly failed against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain and thus missed the final.
Kane is slowly running out of superlatives. But he found one himself. “Personally, it was the best season of my career,” he said after scoring 61 goals in 51 games. In Munich he won the trophies that had eluded him as a player at Tottenham Hotspur and so far with the England national team.
Hoeneß: Kane is FC Bayern’s best transfer
“That was the best transfer we have ever made,” said Bayern’s honorary president Uli Hoeneß on “ARD” about the striker, who was signed in the summer of 2023 for almost 100 million euros. “His game is so complete,” said coach Kompany. “Harry is an absolute leader who has achieved a lot. When it comes to Harry, it’s also about personality. He also showed this in the final. And he’s now going into the World Cup in top shape.”
Kane wasn’t just impressive in terms of play, Kompany explained. “It’s not just his outstanding quality, but also his personality for the group. I have no idea how you can score so many goals in your career and still look like one of them all.” Kane later thanked him for the great words. “And I’m happy that I’ve been able to return the favor in the three years I’ve been here.”
Even from the loser, Kane received the highest praise without exception. “The overall package is simply world class, world class,” said Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeneß. “He made the difference. Unfortunately, he had another one of his days against us. It’s hard to believe what he achieved.” VfB attacker Deniz Undav (29) also paid tribute: “It’s his third year at Bayern, the man scores as he wants. He simply does things ice-cold.”
New Bayern contract for Kane? “Both sides happy”
During this time, Kane has become top scorer in the Bundesliga three times. But his contract only runs for one year. It should be extended – and as soon as possible. Kane is open to this, he has committed himself to FC Bayern several times. He is calm and his negotiating position is excellent. “Both sides, I think, are happy together,” said the Englishman.
There is no discussion at all for Bayern patron Hoeneß. “FC Bayern is a buyer’s club, not a seller’s club,” said the 74-year-old. Kane will definitely stay in Munich. “Besides, Barcelona doesn’t have any money,” Hoeneß responded calmly to rumors. He also classified Michael Olise (24) as “unsaleable” after star coach José Mourinho came to the cup final. Olise is reportedly considered a candidate for his upcoming position at Real Madrid.
“Harry caused a sensation in the Premier League for a decade, unfortunately without a title. He now deserves it,” said Bayern’s sports director Max Eberl. “For me he has an absolute right to become a Ballon d’Or winner.” Like Kane, Konrad Laimer (28) is also entering his final year of contract. After the cup win, the Austrian international joked in a media round about his stalled negotiations.
Laimer relaxed about extension at FC Bayern
The situation was “very relaxed,” explained Laimer. “I’ve said it many times. I feel really comfortable here. It’s fun in the team and now we’ll see what happens next.” When “Sky” transfer reporter Florian Plettenberg asked urgently why he would demand so much money, Laimer countered with a laugh: “You don’t even know what I’m demanding.” He has “never asked for anything, but now let’s see where the journey takes us. I’ve been here for three years now and we’ve now won the double. And I still plan on winning a few titles.”
Hoeneß recently expressed his appreciation for Laimer, but also emphasized that the full-back was no Diego Maradona. “Me and Uli have always been on the same wavelength. That’s not a problem anyway,” said Laimer. The negotiations should definitely start again. Is it realistic to sign before the World Cup? “I can’t tell you. Things happen so quickly in football. Maybe I’ll do something with it tomorrow, maybe sometime after the World Cup. I don’t know,” Laimer added and concluded by joking: “Maybe Austria will become world champion – and it will be even more expensive.”
Bayern sports director Eberl responds to Hoeneß’s statements
While everyone was in a celebratory mood, Eberl had to comment on his own future before kick-off. Bayern’s sports director reacted irritably, but also with clear words, to comments made by Honorary President Hoeneß about his work with the double winner. “I’m ready to move on – if that’s what you want,” said the 52-year-old, whose contract also expires in 2027. An extension is open.
Shortly before the DFB Cup final, Hoeneß had also praised Eberl’s work, but had not decided on the question of the future. The Bayern patron spoke much more of a “60 to 40 for an extension” tendency. But he also added in a top-level conversation with “Spiegel”: “There are still doubts.” The supervisory board around President Herbert Hainer, Hoeneß and the former CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge decides on contracts with the board members. “The doubts seem to be there,” noted Eberl. The supervisory board has the opportunity to express this.
After the summer break, things should get exciting about Eberl’s future. What does he do if there is no extension? Does he then throw down? “I have to live with scenarios that are imposed on me. My life will go on. I’m there to do my job.” A possible extension can only be negotiated from July 1st at the earliest because contracts with board members can only be extended one year before expiry. CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen’s contract also ends in 2027. All signs point to an extension here.
Hoeneß was criticized for the timing of the interview. “I can only give interviews if I’m requested. And I promised Markus Feldenkirchen six months ago that I’d come, and now in connection with the cup final I’ve kept the appointment,” he said on “Sky” and added about Eberl: “I’m always honest and that’s my personal attitude. I have a very good attitude towards Max, but I know what people think in the club and I don’t want to say something that I can’t keep afterwards.”
