Miroslav Klose testing the waters with Bayern Munich

Legendary striker Miroslav Klose has joined Bayern Munich on its Asia Tour. Klose played for Bayern Munich in 2007-2011 and more scored a record 16 World Cup goals for Germany over his 13-year tenure with the Nationalmannschaft, winning it all at the World Cup in 2014.

The team announced yesterday in a press release that Klose would accompany the team to Asia while taking part in unspecified PR and sponsor events. Klose stated, “I'm looking forward to the days with FC Bayern in Asia . . . I'll have a completely different, new perspective on a trip like this.”

The suspicion that there may be more to Klose’s involvement in the trip than meets the eye is well warranted. Some form of long(er)-term collaboration with Bayern Munich is evidently up for discussion.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge hinted that Klose’s joining Bayern on its Asia Tour may be an overture to something bigger:

For now, it is a test for him and for us. I won’t rule out that there may be something more long-term, if he is interested.

It was the club that asked Klose to come along. Rummenigge elaborated, that

I'm happy that he accepted our offer. He played successfully for us a few years, he's a world champion. He's a very useful guy to have on this trip.

[Emphasis added.]

It remains to be seen whether that Bayern Munich’s interest in Klose extends beyond the realm of PR and marketing to his new passion: coaching. After retiring from professional soccer in November 2016, the reserved 39-year-old immediately embarked on a coaching career, joining Jogi Löw's staff with the German national team, where he has served officially as an intern while pursuing his formal coaching credentials.

What exactly Bayern Munich may have in store for Klose, and whether it could lure him away from the German national team - if necessary - is a tantalizing prospect. Klose has stated that his ultimate goal is to accompany Löw to Russia in 2018 as co-coach - which is how some players already see him.