Arriving in Munich as one of the top 5 most expensive signings in the history of the Bavarians, he failed to establish himself and found himself on the transferable list. But how did we get to this point?
A beautiful love story. Which, however, remained hypothetical. Kim Min-jae, who arrived in Munich as one of the top 5 most expensive signings in Bayern’s history, failed to establish himself in Germany. Much, much was expected of him. In reality he never became leader of the Bavarian defense, he never became a point of reference. To the point that he often found himself on the bench. Former coach Tuchel preferred Dier and De Ligt to him. Kompany, the current coach of Bayern, puts Tah and Upamecano before him. And so the South Korean, who arrived two and a half years ago from Napoli, went from being the best defender in the 2022-23 Serie A to being constantly questioned. He found himself on the transfer list just a few months after his arrival in Germany, but Bayern doesn’t want to sell him off. For this reason, for 18 months now, placing him for the Bavarians has not been easy. Now Milan wants him, but to get him the Germans need to participate in the payment of his salary, which for the Rossoneri is really too high.
the difficulties
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The difficulties for Kim began because of the language. It was Tuchel who explained the situation: “This is a difficult period for Kim – admitted the German coach -. In reality he deserves to play and is also very good. Sometimes, however, this also happens. De Ligt and Dier have been doing well lately, they are performing, and therefore for the moment they remain on the pitch. Eric also talks a lot, talks to his teammates, guides them. This type of attitude helps us and has positive influences on De Ligt too.” The South Korean never really fit into the German dressing room, he never became the leader he was supposed to be. Some physical problems (especially the Achilles tendon) also limited him. “I grit my teeth, close my eyes and continue to fight – declared Kim a few months ago -. Mistakes, injuries or too many games can only be excuses. I still have to stay focused. It’s my job. Of course, some errors were caused by the pain I feel, but, ultimately, I should have played better.” The coach of the South Korean national team Myung-Bo Hong, however, pointed the finger at Bayern, who would have made him play although not in good condition, worsening his physical condition. “Bayern Munich failed to protect him adequately in terms of injury prevention,” he said. “The fact that a match is important doesn’t mean it’s right to field players at risk.” The International Federation of Professional Footballers (better known as FIFPro) even took Kim as an example for the too many commitments (and international or even intercontinental travel) to which the players are subjected. Sports director Max Eberl also commented on the case: “We never considered him a health risk, even though he obviously had problems and couldn’t train much. But we needed him on the pitch.” Not even the divorce from his wife Ahn helped him find serenity. For him, the end of the relationship with the woman with whom he has a child was not easy. To the point that he even publicly apologized to the fans for the divorce.
bad luck
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Furthermore, Kim also experienced some unsuccessful moves during his time in Monaco. In reality they were part of the team, but they were often attributed (also) to him: on 14 February 2024 he played from the start in the match they lost against Lazio at the Olimpico (absent in the return match, won 3-0) in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League, as well as in the match which cost them elimination from the German Cup against little Saarbrucken (third series) and in the two defeats in a row against Leverkusen and Bochum which they made the team slip -10 from first place in the standings in the year in which Aspirin triumphed. “I have always played with a lot of conviction – said Kim -. But at Bayern certain characteristics were no longer required. There were moments during the match in which I hesitated, because I couldn’t play free of mind. I tried to do what the coach wanted.” In fact, Tuchel criticized him during the season because in his opinion Kim is too enterprising. For example, he seeks the advance even when he is not sure that he will succeed. Tactical differences, therefore.
reaction
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However, Kim has always publicly tried to appear calm: “Just because I’m not playing doesn’t mean I’m no longer taken into consideration – he told Sky Deutschland –. It’s never happened to me that I’ve been on the bench so often, but it can teach me. Everywhere I’ve gone I’ve always played, but here at Bayern, with so many good players, this can happen too.” With Milan he would find more space and more continuity. Also rediscovering the serenity that he never had in Germany amidst injuries, controversies and personal issues.
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