Bayern’s legend: ‘Nobody fooled the club like the Spurs did’

Former player and now the biggest Bayern critic. Lothar Matthaeus is a German legend and international, whose words always cause reactions. Unlike his former teammate Dittmar Hamman, he is less critical, and his comments are usually to the point. Last season, he went into a series of public arguments with former CEO Oliver Kahn over the way Julian Nagelsmann’s firing has been handled, and now, he concentrated on the Harry Kane transfer, Bayern’s loss to Leipzig, Tuchel’s inability to prepare his team well at the beginning of the season and other possible candidates for the title.

In his regular column for Sky Sports Germany, Mattahus pointed out that Tottenham ‘fooled’ his former club with the way a Harry Kane transfer was handled.

“In general, this transfer is great. Kane is one of the top five strikers in the world. He will have to get used to the Bundesliga but will certainly score a lot of goals for Bayern. The whole hiccup until the signature was again not Bayern-like. I can't remember Bayern ever letting another club fool them like that. In the past one would have said: "We want your player, here are 90 million euros. Please think about it for a week." If nothing happened then, you would have had a plan B. But you wouldn't have put up with something like that for three weeks. Now it's here, catch it, top player and the price is also okay in this day and age. After all the hiccups over the past few days about his signature, the world star should have been introduced to the fans and then placed in the stands next to Uli Hoenes. He would have trained properly with the team for a week and then started the season against Werder Bremen from the start. For me, the Kane debut was a mistake” said former Bayern player.

Bayern’s player in the morning, a first trophy in the evening

And then, a much stronger words followed. He said he doesn’t want to give his opinion on Bayern’s state of play after an embarrassing loss to Leipzig 3-0, but he asked a lot of questions.

“A couple of ten-year-olds asked me today why Tuchel still hasn't made the team any better. I'll keep my answer to myself at this point. Tuchel still hasn't formed and found a team. I have the impression that nobody knows where he is, where he stands with the coach and what his position is. Why is Upamecano playing again instead of Tuchel's dream player Kim? Why does Kimmich play as the ‘number 8’ and not more defensively, where he is best and was world class? Why is he still taking corners? That was the hundredth in a row that didn't work? What happens in Bayern's goal? No one knows the truth about Manuel Neuer except those involved, I assume. If you analyze the swatter against Leipzig briefly and concisely, you could say: No Manuel Neuer in goal, no top striker on the pitch, chances not used, lost again. Everything as usual” explained Matthaeus.

Lost trophy and an apology: Tuchel feels sorry for Kane - who has a lot of adjusting to do

Even thou he used to play for the German giants, Matthaus is obviously hoping that this season, there will be another unpredictable title race.

“Leipzig lost Konrad Laimer, Christopher Nkunku, Dominik Szoboszlai and Josko Gvardiol. Four great players. And then they win 3-0 in Munich. It's still too early for me to be the favorite for the championship, but I'm hoping for a four-way battle. I also count Leverkusen among them after a complete preparation with the great coach Xabi Alonso and the great reinforcements.  Dortmund is one of them anyway. I think a lot of Felix Nmecha and instead of BVB I would definitely get the young but already experienced Armel Bella-Kotchap for the back. Mats Hummels and Nico Schlotterbeck are always injured and he would be a really good reinforcement. A highly motivated captain Emre Can, a little more consistency and, as always, everything is possible for Dortmund” said Matthaeus.