Bayern Munich Legend Thomas Mueller Announces Departure After 25 Years at Club
Thomas Mueller, the attacking midfielder for Bayern Munich, confirmed on Saturday that the club will not offer him a new contract, marking the end of his 25-year association with the team at the end of this season.
The 35-year-old, whose contract is set to expire in the summer, expressed his disappointment in a social media post, stating that the decision was made by the club and was not his desired outcome.
Although he was not pleased with how the contract negotiations were handled in public, Mueller expressed gratitude for the support he received from everyone at Bayern throughout his long career.
Having joined Bayern’s youth ranks at the age of 10, Mueller has achieved significant success, winning two Champions League titles and 12 Bundesliga championships during his time with the club.
As the season progresses, Mueller remains focused on helping Bayern secure the league title and reach the Champions League final, which will be held at Bayern’s Allianz Arena.
Bayern Munich has announced that Mueller will be honored with a testimonial match and will also participate in the Club World Cup in July. Club president Herbert Hainer described Mueller’s career as the “definition of a Bavarian fairytale.”
With 743 matches played for Bayern, Mueller holds the record for the most appearances in the club’s history, scoring 247 goals and providing 273 assists.
Despite his reduced playing time in recent matches, there have been speculations about Mueller’s future, with reports suggesting a possible move to Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States.
Having retired from international football after Euro 2024, where he earned 131 caps and scored 45 goals, Mueller remains focused on contributing to Bayern’s success in the remaining matches of the season.
Bayern’s sporting director, Max Eberl, emphasized that the decision not to extend Mueller’s contract was a difficult one but reiterated that the club’s priority is building for the future.
In light of Jamal Musiala’s injury during Bayern’s recent match against Augsburg, Mueller might feature in the upcoming Champions League quarter-final against Inter Milan on Tuesday.
