Rummenigge and Salihamidzic respond to Jerome Boateng’s criticism

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has responded to Jerome Boateng’s outspoken criticism of himself and Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeneß. In an interview with SZ, Boateng stated that he felt the club did not support him when claims surfaced that he was supposedly not focused on Bayern Munich. Boateng also acknowledged tension with the Bayern leadership over his extracurricular engagements, leading him to request a meeting.

Following Bayern’s 2-0 win over Benfica in the Champions League, Rummenigge spoke to Sky Germany (via Kicker). He struck a diplomatic tone when he was asked about Boateng:

In principle I have no problem if a player thinks he needs to say something critical about Uli Hoeneß or me. If he wants to speak with us, he’s welcome to do so. All that’s great.

Rummenigge reiterated that his door is always open. if a player wants to speak with both he and Hoeness about something, and that they’ll always be treated with the upmost respect.

The doors of Uli Hoeneß and myself are always open. He’ll also get an espresso or water or whatever he’d like, and then he’s welcome to speak — it’s no trouble at all.

Rummenigge suggested ever so gently that Boateng is not quite his cup of tea, but also stressed how important he for the club and that negotiations about his potential transfer to PSG all took place on a consensual basis:

Jerome is definitely a kind of rare bird. Jerome knows that he’s an important player for us; that’s why we didn’t give him up to Paris at the end of the day. Matters proceeded between the two parties on a completely serious basis. There is no dissent at all.

Bar the DFL Supercup win over Eintracht Frankfurt, Boateng has started and played every single minute in each of Bayern’s five competitive matches thus far across competitions and has showed no signs of slowing down. There had been suggestions that Niko Kovac’s preferred center-back pairing would be Mats Hummels and Niklas Sule, but his continued faith in Boateng is evident.

Rummenigge was certainly satisfied with Boateng’s performance in Lisbon:

As you could see tonight, he has [his head] very clear. When he plays like that — everything’s okay.

(Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Bayern’s sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic, was rather more irritated about Boateng’s criticism of the club leadership, which will have pertained to him, too (AZ).

We supported Jerome last season just as much as now. I speak with Jerome every day; there are no problems. First of all we want to win here; everything else we’ll clear up then. We’re totally satisfied with him. Our doors are always open. We can talk as often and as long as he wants.

Salihamidzic promised that he would ask Boateng just what he meant with his criticism about a lack of support.