Klinsmann on Harry Kane: Could immediately win the title at Bayern

Exclusive TM interview

Jurgen Klinsmann looks relaxed as Transfermarkt meet the 1990 world champions in Washington DC. The 57-year-old is in the US capital as part of Bayern Munich’s US tour and speaks to TM about Robert Lewandowski’s transfer, the situation at ex-club Tottenham, the chances of Harry Kane moving to Germany and the importance of Europe club tours for the US market ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

“It will be a small tactical change for Bayern,” explains Klinsmann when asked whether he can imagine Bayern without a real number 9 in the future. “I think in the next few months they will watch the market and maybe pick a No 9, if only as a backup. Nagelsmann is a coach who – like many coaches of the younger generation – likes to play without a real centre-forward. In the end they will be able to solve it. But we will all miss Lewandowski.”

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Klinsmann does not doubt that the Pole will always remain a club legend, despite the fuss about his move to Munich: “After a while you will only remember all the good things,” said the ex-striker, who himself played between 1995 and 1995 and in 1997 he went hunting for goals in the Munich jersey. From a player’s perspective, Klinsmann understands Lewandowski’s decision. The now 57-year-old started his career at Stuttgarter Kickers and became a Bundesliga star with city rivals VfB before playing for Inter Milan, Monaco, Tottenham and finally FC Bayern – Klinsmann learned Italian and English at an early age and was always keen to discover the world with the help of football.

“Lewandowski has proven himself and delivered every year,” Klinsmann continued. “At some point you always get to the point where you become open to new, crazy experiences. ‘I’m running out of time here, I’m 33 and what if I could play for another top club in Europe?’ He will have this experience now.”

Klinsmann on Tottenham Hotspur: “Quality to win the Premier League”

Klinsmann took a similar step in 1994 when he moved to Tottenham. He enchanted the Brits with his manner, which was atypical for Germans on the island at the time, and not only won over a very critical audience with his big smile, but also with 38 goals in 66 games during his two stations. But Spurs supporters loved him for his self-mockery – Klinsmann celebrated his first goal by sliding his chest to the ground after being previously labeled a ‘diver’ by the British press (Note d. Red.: “Diver”, the term in England describes a player who tends to “swallow”.).

Since then, Klinsmann has always kept an eye on the development of the north Londoners. “They have done a lot of work over the last 10 to 15 years. They built this stadium, which is incredibly beautiful, and they thought they could attack now – but then COVID came and dampened the spirit of optimism.” Nevertheless, Klinsmann believes that the club will go in a successful direction with coach Antonio Conte. “He brings a bit of this Bayern-Munich culture with him,” says the former German national coach about the Italian. “For him, all that matters is victory – and now they have a team that could do it. If you look at every single player in this squad, Tottenham have the quality to win the Premier League.”

Klinsmann on Harry Kane: Could win titles in Germany straight away

For the German, this “Bayern mentality”, to which Klinsmann alludes, is the decisive ingredient for a functioning club life that is hungry for success. “There are so many intense relationships in this club,” he says of the record champions. “When you keep rubbing and bumping into each other, at first glance it gives the impression that things are going downhill and that’s the end of the world. But that is not the case. Rather, as a player, you are pushed and pushed to your limits. I remember the arguments I had with Lothar Matthäus during my time in Munich – it was an ongoing struggle. But it generated a lot of energy. The team saw it that way that I wanted to score goals and Lothar wanted to win titles. We pushed each other to the extreme.”

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It was this environment that made Klinsmann decide to join Bayern in 1995. “In London they said, ‘Why are you leaving us?’ But I explained that with the transfer I would immediately play for European titles and the Bundesliga championship – and I won both with Bayern.” An interesting parallel to the current situation: Because like in 1996, when Bayern lost Klinsmann from London , to close a gap in the nine position, you could find something again at the Spurs after Lewandowski’s departure. Harry Kane, who has been repeatedly associated with the Munich team in recent months, seems to be the target this time. The record champions are interested, but a transfer would not be possible until next summer, if at all.

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“Harry’s in that situation where he’s like, ‘I want to win the World Cup in Qatar and I have to win something with Spurs.’ This year is crucial for him; otherwise you never build the confidence you need.” Klinsmann pauses to wonder if Kane could follow in his footsteps and join Bayern to finally win trophies there. “I’ve never thought of that. But going to Germany would definitely give him that opportunity right away. But the way I see it from the outside, he’s now committed to Spurs. He did all this last year (Note d. Red.: At that time there was a move to Manchester City in the room) went through, then Conte signed and they had a strong year. They want to prove that again next season. I doubt he would switch right before the World Cup in Qatar.”

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