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In recent comments (SportBild), Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge dismissed speculation that Robert Lewandowski’s relationship with Bayern Munich was deteriorating and asserted yet again that he will be on the team next season.
Much was made over the weekend in the incident during Bayern Munich’s match against FC Köln when Robert Lewandowski refused to shake Jupp Heynckes’s hand after his was subbed off midway through the second half. Lewandowski was noticeably frustrated and snubbed Heynckes by walking straight to the bench, prompting a stern talking-to from the manager and rekindling speculation that his time at Bayern may soon come to an end.
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Despite the minor altercation, however, Rummenigge downplayed suggestions that the striker’s relationship with the club is strained and affirmed Lewandowski will remain in a Bayern jersey for a long time to come:
Nobody needs to worry about Robert Lewandowski and his relationship with Bayern Munich. We have a very good one. We know what we have in Robert Lewandowski. I’m very happy that we still have such a long-term contract. No one needs to think about it. He will play for Bayern Munich next season, too.
Additionally, Rummenigge stated that Lewandowski’s talent should not be disputed, even though he went through a goal-scoring dry spell in Bayern’s Champions League ties against Sevilla and Real Madrid:
One shouldn’t exaggerate [the goal drought]. He’s one of the best center forwards in the world. The numbers prove it every year. If he doesn’t score a goal in a few games now and then, that’s not a problem.
Thus Lewandowski enjoys the unqualified support of Rummenigge, although the chairman also acknowledges that everyone will form his or her own opinion; “I’m a big advocate of democracy; everyone is entitled to express their own opinion.”
After already grabbing his 29th goal in Bayern's match against Köln, Lewandowski will now have to wait until Bayern’s final match of the season this weekend against Vfb Stuttgart to score his 30th goal. He has been virtually guaranteed to win the Torjägerkanone since his chief rival Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang transferred to Arsenal during the winter break.