interview
Thomas Müller changes to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Their managing director Axel Schuster, who talks about his coup in the Sportschau interview, is responsible for the transfer.
After 25 years, Thomas Müller will wear a different jersey for the first time than that of FC Bayern Munich, the Vancouver Whitecaps become his first professional association beyond the German record champion. The managing director of the Canadian MLS club is Axel Schuster, who was a team manager at Mainz 05 and sports director at Schalke 04 before his commitment in the metropolis (since 2019). In the sports show interview, he talks about the Müller Coup.
Sports show: Mr. Schuster, how difficult was it to inspire Thomas Müller to switch to the Vancouver Whitecaps? Other clubs from the MLS were also interested.
Axel Schuster: “Honestly, we had thought for a long time that we had little chance. But in the end it was not difficult. Our city is one of the ten most livable cities in the world and our team plays for a top place in the league (currently Vancouver is second in the Western Conference, i.e. Red.), We are also in the semi -finals of the Canadian championship. Thomas can continue to fight for titles and at the same time live in a beautiful city.”
Axel Schuster – Managing Director of Vancouver Whitecaps
Sports show: Was there any obstacles to the transfer?
Schuster: “The biggest obstacle was the partly special rules of our league because we first had to secure the exclusive right to negotiate. From the start, the reaction was positive from the start when I contacted me from the start, his management told me that we had a great team and a great city – I knew that something was possible.”
In the MLS, the clubs have the opportunity to secure a kind of first access to players at an early stage, in the case of Müller this was FC Cincinnati. Because a change there was not an option for the 2014 world champion, Vancouver had to buy the rights.
Sports show: What do you expect from Thomas Müller?
Schuster: “That we have a leader on and next to the square that helps us with his experience with the development of our team and our club. We did not get it as a brand ambassador and advertising figure, but we were concerned with the fact that he does better to us. He wants to win the MLS with us.”
Thomas Müller’s new teammates of the Vancouver Whitecaps celebrate a goal in the game against Sporting Kansas City
Sports show: What does it mean for the Vancouver Whitecaps to have a player like Thomas Müller in their own ranks?
Schuster: “First of all, that we will strengthen ourselves in terms of sport and thus prepare for the title race. In addition, of course, more careful and interested in our club. The jersey and ticket sales, the general interest in Vancouver – everything has exploded on the day of the transfer. Almost 55,000 spectators in the stadium. “
Sports show: At Inter Miami, Lionel Messi, in the entire MLS, plays more old stars – and you now also have one in the team. Why is the league so interesting for the last career years of career?
Schuster: “This applies mainly to Europeans, because we have many young South American talents in our league. I think it is still an adventure for us Europeans. It is not always easy to take this big and wide step away from Europe. You live ten flight hours and nine time zones far away from your family and friends. I think that many players are easier with a little more life experience.”