Munich (dpa) – President Herbert Hainer has confirmed FC Bayern’s clear stance against a change from Robert Lewandowski. Despite the public pressure from the Poles, the Munich club boss does not expect the world footballer to leave this summer.
“We are in the fortunate position that we don’t have any financial difficulties. We want to have the best players and Robert is one of the best,” said the 67-year-old to “Bild am Sonntag”. “That’s why I’m sure he’ll play with us next season.”
The successor to Uli Hoeneß explained that he could only support CEO Oliver Kahn in his “Basta” power word on Lewandowski’s whereabouts. Hainer pointed out that the 33-year-old Pole has a contract with Bayern until June 30, 2023. “And a contract is a contract! Where are we going if a player can end a contract early while we as a club would have to pay him in full up to the last day of the term? That’s an inequality, it can’t be like that.”
Lewandowski had recently publicly expressed his desire to change. “For today it’s clear: my story with Bayern is over. After everything that has happened in the last few months, I can’t imagine further good cooperation,” said the Pole, who is to be courted by FC Barcelona.
He was “surprised that Robert chose to go public,” said Hainer, “I wouldn’t have done it in his place.” However, he is not afraid that after these incidents there will be so much left that it will not be possible to start the new season with Lewandowski. “Robert is a full professional, he wants to play football,” said the Bayern president.