Thomas Muller’s contract with Bayern Munich is set to expire at the end of the 2023-24 season, and according to the latest reports, there is a lack of clarity on whether the German legend will remain in Munich beyond this season.
We’ve often thought that Muller’s time in Munich may be coming to an end, but it’s important to note that no decisions have been made. The German forward is no longer a certainty in the starting XI under Thomas Tuchel.
Muller does provide leadership skills and experience that Tuchel would like to keep in the squad. However, the German forward will have to decide whether he wants to play the role of a squad player at Die Roten or join a club where he will play week in, week out. He decided to stay in Munich during the summer window by rejecting offers from Saudi Arabia.
It does look like the German international is yet to make a final decision. In Fabrizio Romano’s daily briefing, the football insider confirmed that Bayern will give Muller the time he needs to decide his future, and usually, those decisions get made at the end of the season.
"Bayern will let Muller decide his future as he approaches the end of his contract. They’re not in a rush, it depends on the player’s plan. Thomas wants to focus on the pitch now, no decision has been made and usually, this kind of decision is always made when we’re close to the end of the season, not now."
The 34-year-old has spent his entire career with Bayern making 450 appearances for the senior side. Having joined the Bavarian giants at the age of just 10, Die Roten is all Muller has known as a professional footballer, but heading into the twilight of his career he may decide that a change is needed.
Both coach Thomas Tuchel and Bayern Munich director Christoph Freund have reiterated the importance of Muller to the squad despite his lack of playing time over the first part of the season.
Could Muller’s lack of playing time convince him to leave Bayern next summer?
Muller is still an incredibly talented player and being able to use him off the bench is a huge benefit to Thomas Tuchel, but despite his love for Bayern he’s going to want to play as much as he can. Christoph Freund alluded to this after the 8-0 thrashing of Darmstadt.
Christoph Freund on Thomas Müller's future: "I would like to state that I've been at this club for 8 weeks, Thomas Müller has been at FC Bayern for the last 10-12 years. He is a very important part of the team. We will have talks over the next few weeks, but it also depends on…
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) October 28, 2023
Muller has one goal and four assists in the Bundesliga this season, despite playing just 33% of the available minutes. The German forward also has an assist in the Champions League despite playing just 5% of the available minutes.
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For many teams, Muller would be one of the first names on the team sheet. Considering the offers may arrive, Muller will give him some food for thought when it comes to signing a new contract. Unfortunately for Muller (or fortunately because he’s such a team player), Bayern have one of the best, if not the best forward line in football.
Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Kingsley Coman, and Leroy Sane are a formidable attacking unit, and all of them have been playing well, which in turn limits the opportunities for Muller. It is however a very long season, and as we’ve seen already with Bayern, you’re one injury away from being called on to play significant minutes.