Bundesliga - Original Bavarian Müller extended until 2025: "M im Mia san Mia"
The eternal Thomas Müller is staying at FC Bayern. The 34-year-old international footballer extended his contract, which expires in the summer, by a further season until the end of June 2025.
"I'm delighted that my journey at FC Bayern is continuing. I want to play my part in ensuring that we remain successful - as a team and as a club as a whole. It's important to me to be a building block and help steer the team in the right direction," explained Müller on Tuesday. "I want to inspire our fans with goals, goal contributions, my love of the game, my passion for soccer - and hopefully with many more titles."
Apart from seven years as a child at TSV Pähl, Müller only played for the German top flight. Most recently, however, the international, who joined Bayern in 2000, was often just a substitute under coach Thomas Tuchel. The "Müller always plays" slogan of his former sponsor Louis van Gaal no longer applies. However, the prospect of the 2025 Champions League final in Munich is very tempting for Müller in any role.
Most recently, Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich had already extended their contracts, which expired at the end of the season. "There is no one who has internalized FC Bayern like him. We know what we have in him," Bayern's sporting director Christoph Freund recently said of Müller. "Thomas Müller simply belongs to Bayern Munich," captain Neuer also assured.
Hainer: "There will never be another like Thomas Müller."
I am convinced that Müller will "never play for another club from the summer onwards", club president Herbert Hainer said recently. Instead, the club's wish is to retain an icon like Müller in some capacity beyond his professional career.
"Thomas Müller belongs to FC Bayern like the Frauenkirche belongs to Munich. He was born on the outskirts of the city, grew up in this club and was already a legend during his playing days - very few people manage that," said club president Hainer after the recent signing of the contract. "His path into the history books is paved with records. FC Bayern has been shaped by many personalities, and there will never be another player like Thomas Müller."
Farewell thoughts evaporated
Müller did, however, have thoughts of leaving during his time at Bayern. Van Gaal once wanted to bring him to Manchester United. Müller was tempted again in 2019, when he was often just a substitute under then coach Niko Kovac. After the coach's release, however, his status improved abruptly under his successor Hansi Flick.
FC Bayern had previously extended Müller's contract for the last time in May 2022. Back then, the original Bavarian posed on a mattress surrounded by Bayern bed linen and fan posters on the wall. Müller recreated a photo from his childhood, when he was still wearing goalkeeper gloves and looking expectantly into the camera.
"For FC Bayern, he is unique as a player, personality and identification figure. Someone who never hides, even when it hurts, and who is always highly motivated. He is also a great communicator who always has a good saying on his lips and enjoys his work," explained CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen. "Müller remains the 'M' in 'Mia san Mia'. We wish him not only an extremely successful time at FC Bayern, but also with the national team."
Read also:
- Despite being a substitute under coach Thomas Tuchel recently, Thomas Müller, the iconic player of FC Bayern Munich in Bavaria, Germany, extended his contract until 2025, expressing his desire to contribute to the club's success.
- Louis van Gaal's famous slogan, "Müller always plays," no longer applies to the current situation, but Müller remains hopeful for the prospect of the 2025 Champions League final in Munich.
- Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich, among others, have also extended their contracts at FC Bayern, with the club's sporting director expressing his admiration for Müller's devotedness to the team.
- Club president Herbert Hainer praised Müller's dedication to FC Bayern, stating that there will never be another player like him and expressing the club's wish to retain him beyond his professional career.
- Müller's thoughts of leaving FC Bayern in the past were momentary, as his status improved under Hansi Flick following Kovac's release.
- FC Bayern extended Müller's contract in May 2022, with the original Bavarian posing in a photo reminiscent of his childhood, reaffirming his deep connection and commitment to the club.
- Müller's impact on FC Bayern's history and culture is undeniable, with many considering him an essential part of the team's identity, as well as a great communicator and a highly motivated player.
Source: www.stern.de
