Bayern Munich bosses console Kingsley Coman amidst his injury concerns

In the wake of Kingsley Coman’s statement that he would consider retiring from football if he suffers another serious foot injury, the Bayern Munich bosses have offered their sympathy and unwavering support for the midfielder. The 22-year-old has suffered two serious ankle injuries in the past twelve months, missing multiple matches for both Bayern Munich and the French National Team. The thought of (potentially) going through a third foot operation is a prospect Coman believes he could not endure.

Per a report by Bild, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Niko Kovac, and Hasan Salihamidžić offered their support for Coman and feel that the 22-year-old shouldn’t think about another injury as synonymous with retiring. Rummenigge completely understands where Coman’s coming from, but he feels that at such a young age, it would be far too early for the midfielder to think about ending his career if he gets another ankle or foot injury:

I understand him. Unfortunately, the last injury caused him to miss becoming a world champion. He would have participated in the tournament and today have the title. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t recommend him thinking about ending his career even if he suffers another injury. We have good doctors and good physios. He is an important player. Our storm tank Robert Lewandowski will especially benefit from playing with him.

(Photo by M. Donato/Getty Images for FC Bayern )

Kovac echoed Rummenigge’s sympathy for the French winger, but at the same time, feels that Coman only said what he said because he’s only just returned from his second lengthy injury spell on the sidelines:

When someone has these two injuries in so short a time, you can’t be sensible in the head. In the body, you listen to every little pain and hope it doesn’t happen again. I can understand that he has such thoughts, but I don’t think he thinks that way. He’s a world-class player and will still surely play many good games and win many titles. His saying he wouldn’t continue was only an initial reaction.

Having experienced two cruciate ligament tears during his own playing career, Hasan Salihamidžić has deeply-rooted sympathy for Coman’s injury situation. Having gone through such similar emotional and physical trauma, Salihamidžić says he plans on speaking with Coman personally to help him keep his sights set on his bright future instead of worrying what potential injuries could lie ahead:

I haven’t spoken with Kingsley yet. He perhaps said that out of emotion, because rehab isn’t fun. I’ll talk with him. I also had two ACL tears in one year, also had such thoughts. We expect great things of Kingsley. He has a great future ahead of him.

In the games that he’s played since returning from his most recent ankle injury, Coman has looked sharp. As far as the timing is concerned, too, he could very well benefit from the fact that the hinrunde is almost over as he can continue to work on his fitness levels during Bayern’s winter training camp.