It’s been two years since the German axis at FC Bayern was supplemented by an important building block and thus completed for years to come. At least that’s how it seemed in the summer of 2020 when Leroy Sané was finally freed from Manchester City a year late.
The lightning-fast attacker should not only bring the Munich team sporting quality and enormous marketing potential, but also let Honorary President Uli Hoeneß dream of one of his greatest visions: that of FC Bayern Germany.
Soccer, Formula 1, tennis and more in a sports package
The best players in the country should also play for the best team in the country, Hoeneß had made it clear years ago. According to their own self-image, the structure of the national team has to play at FC Bayern.
Sané was just the latest piece of the puzzle. The core was formed by the 95-year group around Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Niklas Süle and Serge Gnabry. The “NewGen”, as she calls herself, has known each other since childhood and is closely connected.
Leroy Sané (FC Schalke) and Leon Goretzka (VfL Bochum) attended the Schalke school in Berger Feld together and have known each other since fifth grade. Goretzka and Kimmich, in turn, set an example during the pandemic with their “We kick Corona” initiative, and they have long been one of the best midfield duos in the world.
“I’m very happy that the vintage is so well represented here,” said Kimmich once in an interview with the AZ: “I’ve known the boys from the national team and especially Serge (Gnabry, d.Red.) for a very long time. ” Both met as children when they were youngsters at VfB Stuttgart and have been close friends ever since.
The vision of the 95 generation, which has been the backbone of FC Bayern for years, is slowly but surely beginning to crumble. In the person of Niklas Süle, the first member of the clique has already said goodbye, he will move to Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer after his contract expires. The future of Gnabry (contract until 2023) is currently still completely open, the contract negotiations have been stalled for a long time.
Not surprisingly, Kimmich wants his good buddy to stay. “Of course, that’s a special and difficult topic for me personally. Serge is not only important to me on the pitch, he’s also my best friend. That’s why, from a personal point of view, I naturally hope that he stays,” said the midfield star on Friday about the open contract situation of his teammate.
“He knows what he has at Bayern and how important it is that you come into a squad every day that is fun to play football with. Every year he has the chance to play for every title with us. He has an environment in which he feels comfortable,” Kimmich continued.
Gnabry, who is said to have recently rejected a contract offer with a rumored annual salary of 19 million euros, is reluctant when asked about his future. The attacker recently said at a national team press conference that he did not want to comment on this and asked media representatives to refrain from further inquiries about the negotiations. But it’s by no means just about the money for him, the native Swabian added. But then what for?
“Sometimes it’s just a feeling,” said national coach Hansi Flick, under whom Gnabry won the Champions League with Bayern two years ago, on Friday. However, his hesitation “does not mean that he will not be extended at Bayern Munich. His future is relatively open there.” The national coach also referred to the “buddies” in Munich, saying that financial matters were “not the focus” from his point of view. Rather, Gnabry asks himself: “Should I do something different and leave my comfort zone?”
It’s a question that many Bayern players have asked themselves in recent years. David Alaba, for example, who left Munich last summer after 13 successful years to join Real Madrid. Or Robert Lewandowski, who is also toying with a move to Spain.
Hardly anyone would have thought that summer two years ago that parts of the “NewGen” would also leave the club or at least flirt with it. The vision of the 95 generation is crumbling…
This article was written by Bernhard Lackner
FC Bayern is currently in the middle of the conversion for the new season. But he also has to deal with players who want to leave the club. In a column, Lothar Matthäus is now dealing with the new development for him.
Are the performances of athletes rated too negatively in Germany? Toni Kroos’ interrupted interview triggered a debate. Now ex-Bundesliga coach Zorniger agrees.
Robert Lewandowski wants to leave Bayern Munich this summer, but the striker still has a year’s contract in Munich. The club has the upper hand, says Christoph Schickhardt. The star lawyer explains why – and what sanction options there are.
The original of this article “Bayern’s great vision with a special vintage threatens to fail completely” comes from the evening newspaper.
