Thomas Müller To Depart Bayern Munich After 25 Years

MUNICH, Germany — Thomas Müller, Bayern Munich‘s record appearance maker, has announced he will leave the club at the end of the 2024-25 season. The decision follows a week of speculation regarding his future, and though no official statement has been made yet, sources indicate that this development has left the veteran forward feeling discontented.

Müller has been a key figure at Bayern since joining the club as a youth player at just 10 years old, amassing 743 appearances and winning 12 Bundesliga titles, two UEFA Champions League trophies, and six DFB-Pokal titles over the course of 25 years. Speaking about his departure, Müller expressed gratitude for his time at Bayern, calling it an “incredible journey.” He hopes to conclude his career with additional titles, stating, “What I want as a farewell should be clear: titles we can celebrate together.”

The announcement has raised numerous questions regarding the logistics of his exit, particularly as his contract will end during the Club World Cup, which begins while he is still under contract. Müller could participate in the knockout phases if Bayern progresses, but recent reports suggest he may not feature at all due to the current tense situation between him and club executives.

Recent comments from club figures point to a lack of communication as a significant issue. Bayern board member for sport Eberl, who had reportedly advocated for Müller’s contract extension, is being criticized for the mishandling of the situation. In January, he suggested that a solution could be easily reached, but the current reality has left many proponents of Müller feeling let down.

Adding to the speculation is the possibility of Müller moving to MLS team LAFC, a partner club of Bayern. This avenue is reportedly being considered, though it is unclear if Müller is interested following the recent turmoil.

<p"Bayern Munich CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen highlighted Müller as one of the greatest player personalities produced by the club, emphasizing the need for a fair and amicable agreement on his departure. “Now, we want to work together to ensure this incredible career is crowned with hopefully three more trophies,” Dreesen said.

Bayern Munich President Herbert Hainer echoed Dreesen’s sentiments, stating, “Müller is the definition of a Bavarian fairytale career.” He praised Müller’s achievements, noting that he ranks among the most illustrious figures in the club’s history.

As the football world reacts, fans are left grappling with mixed emotions concerning Müller’s exit. Many view it as a natural progression in a player’s career, even one as celebrated as Müller’s. Others feel a sense of loss and are left wondering if the transition could have been handled better.

For those wanting to discuss this further, the Bavarian Podcast Works has scheduled a special episode to dive into Müller’s storied career and the implications of his departure for Bayern Munich and its supporters.