Daily Schmankerl: Bayern bosses ponder an exit by Lewy

Per Christian Falk of SportBild, Bayern’s management team is staring at a future without a certain Polish striker

The FC Bayern bosses are keeping quiet for good reason: they are very well aware that Lewandowski wants to leave in the summer and that it’s not just the media who are taking the subject seriously.

The never ending speculation about the future of Robert Lewandowski in Munich is picking up major steam. Aside of our own intrepid analysis, many outlets are seeing the end of a high-scoring era for Lewy in Munich, despite a contract that runs until 2021. What is becoming clear is that Lewandowski see himself on a bigger stage than the Bundesliga can provide. Although Lewandowski has long been rumored to be linked to Real Madrid, it now appears as if some Premier League sides like Chelsea may also jump into the mix.

According to AS, Madrid could attempt to sweeten a deal by reducing the €42 million fee to make James’s loan to Bayern permanent or offering James and cash outright in exchange for the striker.

Bonus round: If you believe the reputable journalists at Don Balon, Bayern Munich will be just fine parting with Robert Lewandowski, because they are already plotting to replace him with Mauro Icardi at Inter Milan. Oh, and the Don still thinks Bayern want to replace Robben with Gareth Bale—but you can read BFW’s special take on that rumor here.

Heynckes to ride off into the sunset? Bild thinks so

Per a Bild report stating what is becoming blatantly obvious, Jupp Heynckes appears to be content with calling it a career after this season. The more you read or hear Heynckes, the more resigned you must become to the fact that his is taking his managerial brilliance home to his family and beloved dog, where he will seemingly have to take out the trash, get yelled at for leaving the toilet seat up, and change light bulbs like the rest of us schlubs.

Kimmich dishes on his toughest matchups, best friends, and more (Goal)

Joshua Kimmich, despite his consistent excellence, is one of the more overshadowed players on this season’s squad. He sat down with Goal.com and answered some fan questions that gave some insightful responses. Some highlights include:

Best player he has faced

For me it was when we played against Juventus. It was Alvaro Morata. He played as a striker and I was playing at center back. It was very tough to play against him, because he has a very strong body. He’s very fast.

Best friends on the team

It’s difficult to say... I have a lot of teammates that I speak a lot with. Sebastian Rudy, Sandro Wagner and Mats Hummels. I think these 3 guys are the ones with who I’m the closest.

His interpretation of Mia San Mia

It’s a philosophy that the club has. For the club it’s important to have a lot of players. who identified with the club. As a player It’s important to work for other players. To be a team I think this is ‘Mia San Mia.’

Nagelsmann: Serge Gnabry needs to be more consistent (ESPN FC)

In an interview with kicker (via ESPN FC), Hoffenheim coach Julian Nagelsmann poured some cold water on the hype surrounding Bayern winger-of-the-future, Serge Gnabry.

Given his quality and his goals, he has to do more over 90 minutes. He had four actions, which all were really good. But still just four; he disappears far too often in the second half.

While not a full-on blasting of Gnabry, it would appear that Nagelsmann is hinting that Gnabry could use additional seasoning before he enters the fiery cauldron of Bayern’s stocked roster. Nagelsmann’s criticism, was even sharper when discussing Gnabry’s propensity for not putting together a complete game.

If he were a player who had one good action out of four, that’d be something different. His actions are always dangerous, but there should be more, and he takes too many breaks during the 90 minutes.

Heynckes praises Thomas Müller: “no one like him in Europe” (Abendzeitung)

In his recent Bild interview, Jupp Heynckes lavished praise on club icon Thomas Müller.

Thomas Müller is part of Bayern Munich . . . That is his home, the club is his club. I can't imagine Thomas Müller ever leaving Bayern.

As if that wasn't enough, Heynckes continued:

Leaving out a player like Thomas Müller or questioning his talent—I rule that absolutely out. There isn't a player like him in Europe.

Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson visits the Allianz Arena (HoustonTexans.com)

After buying a fur coat downtown, because he showed up in the Munich cold wearing only a hat and a hoodie, Watson had a good time playing ball with Javi Martinez, David Alaba and Robert Lewandowski.

Photo by A. Beier/Getty Images for FC Bayern

Allianz Arena all lit up for Bayern's birthday (FCBayern.com)

The Allianz Arena will put on a special light show to celebrate the 118th anniversary of Bayern Munich's founding on February 27 from 5:30pm to midnight local time (11:30am-6:00pm EST).

More info here and a link to a webcam outside the Arena, so you can check it out yourself.

”Viral” video hit: the Dorfrocker rock out to “Jupp ist der beste Mann” (Abendzeitung)

OK, so maybe 7000+ views isn’t exactly a viral hit, but you can judge for yourself. The Dorfrocker (“village rockers”) sing “Jupp is the best man.” Make sure to crank the volume up to 11... Ja saugeil!