Jérôme Boateng has spoken out about his rejection from Bayern Munich, the club where he spent 10 successful years and won numerous trophies.
The 35-year-old defender, who is currently a free agent, was invited to train with Bayern Munich in October 2023, as the club faced a defensive crisis due to injuries. Boateng was hoping to rejoin his former team, where he had won nine Bundesliga titles, six German Cups, and two Champions League titles, as well as the 2014 World Cup with Germany.
However, Bayern Munich decided not to sign Boateng, despite his good physical condition and the endorsement of coach Thomas Tuchel. The club cited that the squad was well equipped enough, but many speculated that the real reason was Boateng’s ongoing trial for domestic violence, which had tarnished his reputation and image.
Boateng, who had left Bayern Munich in 2021 after a dip in form and joined Ligue 1 side Lyon, told Bild that he was grateful to the club for giving him a chance to prove himself and keep fit, and that he would always be a Bayern fan. He also said that he would have played for Bayern Munich if the decision was only Tuchel’s, who he thanked for being the driving force behind his involvement in Munich.
Boateng’s comments have sparked mixed reactions from fans and pundits, some of whom sympathised with him and some of whom criticised him. Some argued that Boateng deserved another chance at Bayern Munich, given his contribution and experience, while others said that he was past his prime and that his off-field issues were too problematic.
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Boateng is still looking for a new club, as he hopes to extend his career and find a new challenge. He has been linked with several teams, including Inter Milan, Arsenal, and Flamengo, but no deal has been confirmed yet. He has also not ruled out a return to the German national team, which he last played for in 2018.
