FC Bayern – Effenberg warns: That would be the “worst decision in the club’s history”
ONLY GERMANY Stefan Effenberg
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Bayern Munich must definitely try to extend Robert Lewandowski’s contract – at least that’s what Stefan Effenberg thinks.
Former FCB professional Stefan Effenberg has issued a clear warning to FC Bayern Munich about Robert Lewandowski’s contract poker.
“If Bayern doesn’t try to extend the contract, that’s the worst decision in the club’s history. Nobody really understands that,” Effenberg wrote in his t-online-Column.
There are currently numerous rumors about the future of Lewandowski, whose working paper expires in summer 2023. According to reports, there are currently no concrete talks with the Pole about extending his contract.
In addition, the latest statements by Bayern officials had caused irritation. Sports director Hasan Salihamidzic had repeatedly announced before the game against Eintracht Frankfurt that the record champions would like to keep the world footballer, but when asked after the game he said: “I’m hearing that for the first time!”
Oliver Kahn also confirmed before the game against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend that he had recently met with star advisor Mino Raiola – and did not go into details. Raiola represents, among others, Erling Haaland, who has been traded in the past as a potential successor to Lewandowski in Munich.
When asked about Lewandowski’s future, however, Kahn kept a low profile: “I’ve said it several times that we want to hold talks with many of our deserving players in the spring, including Robert, of course.”
Effenberg: “Then Lewandowski will never forget it”
Meanwhile, Effenberg does not believe that Lewandowski’s whereabouts are in danger. But Bayern would run a dangerous game. “Should Bayern actually have a commitment from Haaland as Plan A and Lewandowski is only Plan B, Lewandowski will never forget that,” he explained, adding: “If Lewandowski leaves the club in 2023 because it took too long for him, it will throw up not a good light on those responsible.”
Record international player Lothar Matthäus also hit a similar notch in his sky-Column. “There is currently no clear line on Säbener Strasse in contract negotiations. That was different in Hoeneß’s time,” he explained.
Effenberg also finds the latest statement by Thomas Müller, who spoke of pressure to perform before the second leg against FC Salzburg in the Champions League, worrying.
Effenberg is worried about Bayern Munich
“I haven’t heard a sentence like that from Bayern for ten years. After all, the performance was usually right. The players are always under pressure anyway,” wrote Effenberg and concluded: “The team isn’t bursting with self-confidence as usual at the moment. You’ve been missing for a long time stability and compactness in the game against the ball for a long time. It allows too many chances, just 100% ones – like against Leverkusen.”
Therefore, the entry into the quarterfinals against Salzburg is not certain. “In the past few years, I’ve been far from worried about Bayern. At the moment, however, I have to admit that I’m really worried,” said Effenberg. The Austrians would know “exactly” “where Bayern’s holes and weaknesses lie, and they have nothing to lose. That can be a rude awakening for Bayern.”