Thousands of Bayern Munich fans gathered in the city’s main Marienplatz square on Saturday to celebrate the success of the men’s and women’s football teams, but also to say farewell to club icon Thomas Müller.
Bayern’s run of 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles came to an end last season as they were dethroned by Bayer Leverkusen. But the Bavarians recovered the crown this term in Vincent Kompany’s first season in charge.
Müller, meanwhile, is leaving the club after 25 years as he didn’t get a contract extension.
“Bad news, I’ve not got a joke for you today… I want to thank you for all the wonderful years. I hope you continue to support the team and the club, it’s in all our blood,” Müller said from the town hall balcony when he took over the microphone.
“In both teams we have young and dynamic blood, people who know what Bayern means to the people, the city, and so merci, servus and bye-bye,” he said.
He was the last player to be presented to the fans, in what was an emotional moment. During the celebrations, the players greeted the fans and dance along to party songs such as “We are the Champions” and “Sweet Caroline”.
“We’re not just the greatest football club, we also have the greatest fans in the world,” Bayern president Herbert Hainer said.
The Bundesliga trophy was brought into the town hall by Harry Kane, who had never won a title with England or at previous club Tottenham and finally won a major honour.
The women’s team also participated in the party after winning the Bundesliga and German Cup.
“It’s incredible to see so many fans celebrating us. You can’t do it without the fans – so it’s even better that they’re all here today. It’s much more than just football, it’s people, it’s personalities that make up this team,” director of women’s football Bianca Reich said.
LA Galaxy’s Reus woos Müller over possible US move
Marco Reus has expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of Thomas Müller moving to Major League Soccer in the United States and admits they have talked.
“I would love to see him in the league. Maybe it will happen, maybe not,” Reus, Müller’s former Germany team-mate, told reporters following his Los Angeles Galaxy team drawing 2-2 against Los Angeles FC on Sunday.
Reus scored both goals in the derby. LAFC are the team most frequently linked in the media with Müller since the announcement of his Bayern Munich exit after the Club World Cup.
When asked how the MLS could benefit from the arrival of a player like Müller, Reus responded: “A lot. Thomas is a great guy with a good character. Always smiling. We’ll see. Hopefully, he has many offers. He said … he wants to keep playing football. In the end, it’s his decision.”
Reus, who has been in the US since leaving Borussia Dortmund last year, revealed that he has been in direct contact with the 2014 World Cup winner – but not about the MLS.
“Yes, we had a bit of contact. But not about coming here at all – I just congratulated him on his incredible career in Munich,” he said. “It’s unbelievable what the lad has achieved with his easy-going nature. He has always stayed the same.”
At Bayern’s Bundesliga title party at the Munich city hall on Sunday, Müller, 35, said: “I have, of course, enjoyed all the special moments, but now that we have two weeks off, I’ll have time to let it all sink in.
“We are excited to be part of the Club World Cup (from June 14) and, of course, we want to win it.”
What lies ahead for him personally after that remains uncertain. “His only wish is for us to win this Club World Cup. That is the sole focus,” said coach Vincent Kompany.
Source: dpa.com
