“Take some punches in the neck!” Helmer talks about Thomas Müller’s situation

Thomas Helmer commented on Thomas Müller’s complicated situation at Bayern Munich. The 33-year-old was only rarely allowed to play from the start under coach Thomas Tuchel.

“It doesn’t currently look like Thomas Müller is undisputed under Thomas Tuchel. And if Müller doesn’t play, there will always be problems. Of course he can’t be satisfied with this situation,” said Helmer of Munich Evening News.

Recently there had been rumors that Müller was thinking about leaving Bayern in the summer. The 2014 World Champion responded with a somewhat cryptic Instagram post, which can ultimately be understood as a denial. He was in the starting XI against FC Schalke 04 on Saturday.

For Helmer, the home EM 2024 could be a sticking point for Müller’s future decision. “It’s logical that Müller would still like to play in this tournament – possibly as the end of his career. But his situation at Bayern would have to improve for that,” the former FCB professional clarified.

And Helmer added: “If you look at the year 2023, it’s true that Müller took a few hits in the neck. In the game in Gladbach, still under coach Julian Nagelsmann, he was substituted very early in the first half after Dayot Upamecano was sent off with red. Now he is experiencing this series with several games in which he only comes off the bench. And that, although Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was injured most of the time. It makes you think, that will happen with Müller be like that at the moment.”

FC Bayern: Helmer defends Kahn and Salihamidzic

The 58-year-old also commented on the criticism of the Bayern bosses around CEO Oliver Kahn and sports director Hasan Salihamidzic. “I would like to break a lance for Olli and Brazzo here: The footsteps of Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge can’t be filled, let’s not fool ourselves,” said Helmer.

He would still let the duo continue: “They definitely deserve the chance. Maybe sometimes it’s good to be brought back to earth because everything doesn’t go as smoothly as in previous years. Then you have to You just invest more again. Of course, the situation at the moment is not what you are used to at Bayern. But that can also be an opportunity.”

However, Helmer also mentioned a mistake in FC Bayern’s squad planning. The problem for Munich is that with Manuel Neuer and Robert Lewandowski, two world-class players have broken away.

“Of course, those responsible couldn’t do anything about Neuer’s injury,” said Helmer: “But not getting a successor for Lewandowski was a mistake. A top-class player should have come, Bayern missed that. Clearly.”

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