Sports director Christoph Freund has announced a timely decision by FC Bayern Munich regarding the return of former national player Jérôme Boateng to the German football champions. “Yes, that would be our goal. We would have to add him straight away and not wait too long. I think there will be a decision at the end of this week,” said Freund on Monday at Munich Airport before the Bayern team’s departure Champions League game at FC Copenhagen this Tuesday (9 p.m.).
The 2014 world champion without a club could alleviate Bayern’s squad shortage in the central defender position. According to Freund, the two-time treble winner with FC Bayern would have a “back-up role” for Dayot Upamecano, Min-jae Kim and Matthijs de Ligt, who is still missing due to injury in Copenhagen.
“We have seen that we are rather thinly positioned there,” admitted Freund. “It would be his role to support the team as a back-up and – if necessary – that he could then step in,” explained the sports director.
A contract for Boateng until the end of the season is under discussion
When asked about the non-sporting headlines surrounding Boateng regarding his threatened re-trial for alleged violent attacks against his ex-girlfriend, Freund said: “Our approach is to what is best for FC Bayern in terms of sport.” The verdict in the trial against Boateng has been overturned, the 46-year-old noted: “That’s why it’s his private story and not a big issue for us.” Freund pointed out that Boateng is presumed innocent.
There will probably be a fourth trial in the case in 2024; two instances had previously convicted Boateng of bodily harm and insult before the Bavarian Supreme Court overturned the verdict. However, the court upheld the appeal of the footballer, the public prosecutor and the co-plaintiff and referred the case back to the regional court.
Boateng trained with FC Bayern for the first time on Sunday. The defender is also scheduled to train at Säbener Straße in the coming days. “And then we will have another conversation with him. And then we will see what the best decision can be for everyone involved,” said Freund. A contract until the end of the season is under discussion.
Bayern first have to bridge the time until the winter transfer period. In Copenhagen, the Munich team are aiming for their next win on the second matchday of Group A after their 4-3 opening win against Manchester United.