Uli Hoeneß – CaughtOffside

Bayern Munich chief admits he would ‘love’ to sign Chelsea, Man City-linked star

CJ — Sun, 21 Jul 2024 19:07:29 +0000

Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeneß has admitted he would ‘love’ to sign Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Florian Wirtz.

Wirtz enjoyed a stunning 2023/24 campaign, scoring 18 goals and providing 20 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions to help Die Werkself win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal with an unbeaten domestic record, while also reaching the Europa League final.

The 21-year-old then followed that up with a two-goal showing for Germany at Euro 2024, helping Die Mannschaft reach the quarter-finals.

As recently as December, Wirtz was linked with big moves to Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester City (via TEAMtalk). But naturally, any player who thrives at a German club will draw the attention of Bayern Munich, and Hoeneß has made no secret of his desire to bring Wirtz to the Allianz Arena.

“Everyone knows that I would love to see him at Bayern,” Hoeneß admitted when asked for his thoughts on the Bundesliga Player of the Season (via Get Football News Germany).

Florian Wirtz celebrates a goal for Bayer Leverkusen

Hoeneß calls for calm approach to Wirtz and Musiala talent

If Wirtz were to join Bayern Munich — which is unlikely this summer given his father has already confirmed he wishes to stay at Leverkusen next season — he would link up with Jamal Musiala.

The young duo proved a nightmare for defenders at Euro 2024 with five goals combined, including one each in the knockout rounds.

For his part, Hoeneß has called for a relaxed attitude toward the talent and potential of Wirtz and Musiala.

“I think the hype surrounding them is wrong,” the 72-year-old said. “Under these pressures, they cannot develop as they should.

“I think it’s madness to compare Jamal with Maradona. This does young players no favours. There’s no doubt that they can get to that level. But I think it’s a huge mistake to put them under so much pressure now.”

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Exclusive: Title winner super keen on Chelsea but Blues keeping options open says Romano

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 25 May 2024 07:30:00 +0000

Regardless of whether people feel it was the wrong decision, Todd Boehly and the Chelsea board dispensed with the services of Mauricio Pochettino after a poor 2023/24 campaign.

Just when the Argentinian appeared to be getting a tune out of his squad, the American wielded the axe.

Not only could it be suggested that it will put Chelsea’s project back further, but it also throws up the possibility of another frantic transfer window for the West Londoners.

Any new man coming in will almost certainly want to put his own stamp on the squad, and to that end, a number of first-team players could be fearful of their places after largely disappointing during the season.

Enzo Maresca keen on the Chelsea job

One could also make the argument as to who in their right mind would want to take over at Stamford Bridge given the consistent upheaval, but it appears that there are no shortage of takers.

Enzo Maresca, a Championship title winner with Leicester City, appears to be very interested for example.

“I’m receiving many questions about Enzo Maresca guys, and I can confirm that Maresca is super open and super keen on joining Chelsea. So it’s a concrete possibility,” Fabrizio Romano said to CaughtOffside for his exclusive Daily Briefing.

Enzo Maresca to Chelsea?

“He’s not the only target. Hoeness doesn’t want to leave Stuttgart, Michel is also very happy at Girona, but Thomas Frank remains there, McKenna remains there and it’s true that there is also another candidate in Chelsea’s list but there’s no clarity on who that is yet, so they are still discussing all the possibilities.

“Maresca said no to Sevilla, he wants to work in the Premier League, at Leicester or any other club, he wants to stay in England and he has a release clause around €10m.

“It’s really open, and I understand why Chelsea are taking their time to pick the best option possible.”

From a Chelsea perspective, it’s vital that they get their next managerial appointment spot on if they want to have any sort of consistency.

Clearly, whomever comes in Pochettino’s stead needs to win trophies whilst playing in a certain way, but Boehly needs to stop meddling at the first sign of trouble.

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That way of working might well be successful in the business arena though it’s been shown not to be a successful way of doing things at a football club.

Perhaps he’s looking for a quicker than usual return on his investments and the volatility that we’ve seen at Stamford Bridge over the past 18 months or so is the only way of managing that.

It won’t help the new incumbent, however, particularly if he’s expected to hit the ground running as soon as he’s announced.

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Bayern’s Uli Hoeness gives significant update on Liverpool’s pursuit of Xabi Alonso

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:42:54 +0000

The future of Bayer Leverkusen manager, Xabi Alonso, has been the subject of much discussion of late, and now Uli Hoeness, Bayern Munich’s honorary president, has given a definitive update concerning the former Bayern, Liverpool and Real Madrid ace.

Alonso’s stock has certainly risen this season given that his Leverkusen team have been playing some of the best football seen across Europe and they currently remain unbeaten.

Having never won the Bundesliga in their history, Alonso now has Leverkusen on the verge of a maiden German top-flight title.

Liverpool are amongst a host of clubs fighting for Xabi Alonso

The side have finished as runners-up on multiple occasions but never had their hands on the top prize, but with eight games left to play, Leverkusen are 10 points ahead of their nearest rivals; at this point, Bayern Munich.

Only a monumental collapse would deny Alonso and his men the title, and therefore it’s clear to see why some of European football’s great clubs appear interested in his services.

Xabi Alonso is wanted by Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid

Indeed, Hoeness has confirmed that all of those clubs linked with the Spaniard are aiming to seduce him.

“He’s [Alonso’s] proven that he can be a coach for the big time,” he told Ran Sport (h/t Sky Sports).

“Clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, Leverkusen and FC Bayern are working on it.”

Each of Alonso’s former clubs will have cogent reasons as to why they feel that they should be the next port of call for a manager that is destined for the very top.

The lure of each is likely to make it a very difficult decision for the 42-year-old, particularly given that he will have a special affinity with them all and for different reasons.

Ultimately, any decision isn’t likely to be about money but more about the project and how the club’s see Alonso as fitting into that.

Though the man himself has given no hint on what he intends to do next, it does appear that this season will be his last at Leverkusen.

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High ranking Bayern official releases statement that Tottenham could be embarrassed by

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 06:42:29 +0000

Selling Harry Kane to Bayern Munich may have been one of the most difficult decisions that Tottenham chairman, Daniel Levy, has had to make during his tenure as club chairman, however, at this point, it’s looking like a win win.

The centre-forward is, as expected, ripping it up in the Bundesliga for the Bavarian giants, whilst Spurs are sitting pretty atop the Premier League table.

Indeed, any thoughts that Levy may have had regarding a backlash from fans of the north London outfit have quickly been dispelled thanks to Ange Postecoglou’s stunning start to life at White Hart Lane.

Kane’s shadow will hang over the club for a while yet, however, particularly when Bayern directors appear more than keen to rub salt into the wounds.

According to honorary Bayern president, Uli Hoeness, the Bavarians didn’t actually pay the amount for the centre-forward that has been quoted extensively in the press.

“We only spent 95 million (euros),” he told BR24.

Though it might only be a case of a few million pounds difference, it begs the question as to why a different figure was released to media organisations in the first place, and why Levy has let Kane leave for under €100m, when it was always believed that any offer below that amount would be rebuffed.

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Exclusive: Bayern’s internal reaction to ‘expensive’ Harry Kane transfer cock-up

Farrell Keeling — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 08:20:43 +0000

Bayern bosses are far from happy with Uli Hoeneß’s ill-advised decision to speak publicly about Harry Kane’s future, Christian Falk exclusively informed CaughtOffside in his latest Fact Files column.

CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen rushed to put the fire out with a call to Daniel Levy at Tottenham, though it appears more than likely that this error of judgement will prove costly for the Bavarian outfit.

“Bayern hope to secure a deal for Harry Kane by the end of the month. Uli Hoeneß was talking to the press and confirmed that everyone in the club is talking with Harry Kane – Thomas Tuchel, Jan-Christian Dreesen – he said that ‘Harry Kane gave us his word and if he stays to his word – that will work’.

“The problem is that now everyone is afraid that Daniel Levy is really angry because of these comments, as it’s now official they’re speaking to the player.

“That’s why Dreesen, who’s the CEO, made a call to Levy again to try and calm the situation and apologise about Hoeneß’s comments. You see how explosive things are at the moment.

“The main thing now is that they have confirmed that Harry Kane will do everything to go Bayern Munich. Hoeneß confirmed that. Perhaps he did so to push the deal forward but this could cost Bayern.

“Nobody in the club is amused about this inside Bayern because they know it makes things more difficult and more expensive.”

With the England international reportedly refusing to sign a new contract (The Times), of course, the matter is most certainly a complex one for both parties.

MORE: Christian Falk: Premier League dealt transfer blow as three Bayern stars staying put

There’s no question that new boss Ange Postecoglu would much rather keep hold of one of the most talented English strikers of his generation, though the prospect of silverware in Germany could prove too enticing.

In London, the job at Spurs appears more of a rebuild than a tweak job, which will hardly appeal to a 29-year-old hoping to rake in some trophies before he calls time on his playing career.

With Bayern in clear need of a top striker – a move that will surely allow them to compete for the Champions League trophy next term – and Tottenham in need of far more serious surgery, the odds hardly look to be in the latter’s favour.

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Bayern CEO decides to play it nice with Tottenham as Kane pursuit continues

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 10:12:45 +0000

It’s already been the transfer soap opera of the summer but there appears to be no quick resolution to Harry Kane signing for Bayern Munich.

The Tottenham captain has managed to keep a dignified silence to this point, with any news attributed to him not being commented upon.

Sensing that this is going to be a long haul, Bayern Munich CEO, Jan-Christian Dreesen, hasn’t gone with the usual ‘all in’ tactics of buying clubs where Kane is concerned.

Instead, Dreesen has opted for patience in the negotiations in the clear hope that this will chime with Daniel Levy and bring the Tottenham chairman to the table with a sense of co-operation.

Bayern-CEO #Dreesen über das Treffen mit Tottenham-Boss #Levy: "Meine Erfahrung, nicht nur im Fußballgeschäft, sondern grundsätzlich im Leben, ist, dass man am besten zu Ergebnissen kommt, wenn man freundlich miteinander umgeht. Das beschreibt die Reise am besten." #FCBayern

— Maximilian Koch (@_kochmaximilian) July 17, 2023

“My experience, not just in the football business but in life in general, is that the best way to get results is to be friendly to each other. That describes this journey the best,” he was quoted as saying by Maximilian Koch, the chief reporter of Abendzeitung, via a Tweet.

It’s certainly an interesting tactic from the Bundesliga champions, given that it’s a matter of public record just how much they want Kane to sign for them.

Perhaps sensing that Levy wouldn’t appreciate the heavy handed way of going about things, Dreesen is trying something different.

He should be applauded for having the bravery to do so, as what could be perceived as a come down may also not have the desired effect in north London.

In any event, Bayern clearly believe that they have the upper hand in the deal at this stage and time will tell if they’re misguided or not.

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Tottenham’s Harry Kane set to turn down approach from European giants

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 18 Jul 2023 05:47:56 +0000

It’s the transfer saga that continues to dominate the sports pages and is showing no signs of abating just yet, though Harry Kane has seemingly made a definitive decision on where he will be playing his football in 2023/24.

The Tottenham captain has, so far, kept his own counsel over a potential move away from north London, though one could interpret Ange Postecoglou’s recent words as a sign that things will be sorted soon.

Postecoglou: “I had a good chat with Harry Kane. Bayern statements? He’s not going to get fazed by anything — and it has zero impact on me”. ???

“He’s here and while he’s here, Harry is totally committed to what we’re doing”. pic.twitter.com/kRkaEGTMsh

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2023

Reading between the lines, the “while he’s here” could be very revealing indeed.

For all Postecoglou’s evident talent as a manager, surely the one big plus in his favour is how straightforward and direct he appears to be.

Players, staff and media are all treated the same by the Australian, there’s no beating around the bush when speaking about potentially sensitive issues, and he’ll give it to you straight.

In many respects, that’s precisely the sort of attitude that could see Kane extending his stay in north London, and news that the centre-forward has turned down a European giant could give supporters hope in that regard.

According to The Telegraph (subscription required), Kane has issued a firm no to Paris Saint-Germain, who were clearly sussing out the situation with the England captain to see if he would replace Kylian Mbappe.

Unfortunately for Spurs fans, Kane still appears to be keen on a switch to Bayern Munich, and it’s going to need a very persuasive pitch from Postecoglou to get him to stay at White Hart Lane.

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“We’ll get him” – Bayern director seems supremely confident of landing Tottenham’s Harry Kane

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 15 Jul 2023 20:07:24 +0000

If the words of Bayern Munich director, Uli Hoeneß, are anything to go by, the Bavarians appear to be supremely confident in getting Tottenham talisman, Harry Kane, this summer.

Rumours have swirled for the past few weeks, though it’s always been felt that Spurs chairman, Daniel Levy, wouldn’t countenance a sale of the club’s best player, despite the fact he only has 12 months left on his contract and hasn’t shown any desire to sign a new one with the north London outfit.

With the start of the 2023/24 Premier League season just a month away, a firm decision needs to be made one way or the other in order that all parties know where they stand.

??Big statement from Bayern boss Uli Hoeneß about Harry #Kane today!

He told @kicker: „He (Kane) has very clearly signaled that his decision was made. If he keeps his word, we'll get him. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge speaks to him regularly.“ Via @iMiaSanMia

?? Hoeneß confirms:

-… pic.twitter.com/eMwUPAtAKA

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) July 15, 2023

According to a tweet from Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, quoting Hoeneß’ words from an interview with Kicker, it’s just a matter of time before Kane swaps the English top-flight for the Bundesliga.

“He (Kane) has very clearly signaled that his decision was made. If he keeps his word, we’ll get him. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge speaks to him regularly,“Hoeneß has said.

It’s still a big ‘if’ but should Spurs accede to the switch, the sooner it’s arranged the better. It will afford the north Londoners time to acquire a replacement and, if there’s enough money left in the kitty, allow Ange Postecoglou to strengthen elsewhere in the squad.

Though it would be a huge blow for Tottenham, allowing Kane to leave for nothing in a year’s time would possibly be the worst decision Levy could make as chairman, and almost certainly one he’d never be forgiven for.

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Bayern Munich president thinks Thiago Alcantara already has agreement with either Liverpool or Man United

Leah Smith — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 11:44:04 +0000

Bayern Munich’s honorary president Uli Hoeneß has confirmed that he believes star Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara already has an agreement in place to move to either Liverpool or Manchester United.

READ MORE: Tottenham chief doing what he can to seal statement signing

Thiago, 29, has been strongly linked with a move away from last season’s German treble winners after it emerged that Premier League arch-rivals United and Liverpool could battle it out for his signature.

The elite Spanish midfielder has become best known for his technical ability to dictate play and decide games from a deeper central position and is widely regarded as one of the world’s best players.

According to a recent report from Sport.de (via Sports Witness) who have quoted Hoeneß after he spoke live on German television earlier, the Bayern Munich president has confirmed that he believes Thiago already has one foot in the door with either United or Liverpool, he said: “Thiago had a great offer with us for four years.

“A few days later he said that he was looking for a big challenge. Supposedly he is in agreement with Liverpool and Manchester United.

“The clubs have not yet approached Bayern. It’s not style, they want to blackmail us.

“But even if Thiago leaves, Kimmich, Goretzka and Müller will play. Then we have Tolisso, who was thrown back two years due to injuries.”