It is now official that newly-crowned German Kings, Bayern Munich, and midfield maestro, Thomas Müller, will part ways at the end of the season.
After more than 700 first team appearances, the German midfielder will leave the Allianz Arena as the decision to not extend his contract has been made.
Müller will play his last home game for Bayern Munich when Vincent Kompany’s Bavarians face Borussia Moenchengladbach in the Bundesliga 2024/25 match at Allianz Arena on Saturday 10 May, 2025 at 17:30 (WAT).
At his interview, Müller said, “everyone wants to get a quick taste of Thomas Müller before he disappears.”
Bayern Munich will be presented with the Meisterschale (Champions Bowl) after Saturday’s Bundesliga match against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
According to fcbayern.com, Müller said:
Servus Thomas, and congratulations! Last weekend you celebrated the championship title the day after the 3-3 draw away at Leipzig. How hard was it to focus on the Bundesliga after the Champions League exit?
“We managed the turnaround very well after the huge setback against Inter. In the difficult game in Heidenheim – Leverkusen had really struggled there the week before – we did a great job and turned in a strong performance. We improved the atmosphere after the setback and said: We’re a big step closer to the championship now. Then we won against Mainz, and Leverkusen squandered points at the same time. So before Leipzig we had the feeling that things were finally going our way.”
4-0 away at Heidenheim, 3-0 against Mainz, 3-3 away at Leipzig after being two down. It was not a matter of course that things would take such a good development after the big setback against Inter.
“Seemingly, yes. But it’s not like we were knocked out of the Champions League because we didn’t perform well or were in a really bad phase. We had a lot of really good phases and good moments in these Champions League games. But that’s football, sometimes the result tells another story, especially against strong opponents, no matter how things went over 180 minutes. But if things go well, it gives you a better chance of winning the next game. That’s what happened in our case.”
The team went on the seal the championship title, your 13th with FC Bayern. What does it mean to you?
“The figures are all well and good, but you always experience the triumphs one by one. You focus on the current season, on this one season, you work towards it, it’s this table that counts. Whether you won the championship title three years ago or not is of no interest today. It’s one thing to be good. But when you repeatedly prevail against opponents who try to beat you every year, that’s an achievement that has always appealed to me. That’s why it’s all the more pleasing that we won the title again after last year.”
Do you notice the fans reacting differently to you at the moment?
“Just looking at the jerseys I’ve signed recently – of course the topic has been in the media for four weeks or so, especially in the Munich media and the football media. Thomas Müller has been discussed up and down. I have the feeling that I’m being recognised and approached more than ever when I go out the door. Everyone wants to get a quick taste of Thomas Müller before he disappears (laughs). The modern generation would say: FOMO (fear of missing out, ed.) is real.”
After your last home game, there’ll be the last Bundesliga match away at Hoffenheim and the Club World Cup in the USA from mid-June onwards. You’ll make your last competitive appearance for FC Bayern there.
“It’s still quite far away at the moment, I must say, also because we don’t know the competition yet. I believe and hope the many different teams and also the cultures will ensure a varied mix. “If, ideally, we leave as winners of this first Club World Cup, I hope we’ll feel, hey, we’ve achieved something really big as a team – and it’ll be another huge thing in four years.”
