/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63924664/Boateng_4.0.jpg)
The 2014 World Cup winner has fallen out of favor this season in Bayern Munich. The majority of the season he sat on the bench, and when he did play, he was often criticized. In an interview with Kicker, the defender talked about his current situation and his future.
The 30-year-old Jerome Boateng was on few headlines after Bayern celebrated the double. He did not play a significant role in the Rückrunde and he was visibly dissatisfied. After the final whistle in the last Bundesliga game, he didn’t partake the ‘beer shower’ nor any other celebrations. He lifted the trophy and went straight home. The same thing happened after Bayern won the DFB Pokal last Saturday. He used the first chance to leave. After the match has ended, the club CEO Uli Hoeneß advised Boateng to “leave the club”.
In the interview, Jerome calls the 2018/19 campaign a negative one — for him personally. He talks about feeling devastated after his move to Paris Saint-Germain was stopped by Bayern’s board members.
My head was already elsewhere. When you get such a sure statement in the affirmative and an adequate sum is paid, but then the word is suddenly no, something inside you breaks down.
He admits himself that he was “often bad” in the Hinrunde, but thinks that his performance improved in the Rückrunde and that he was unfairly too often left on the bench.
I was able to turn myself upside down and play well, but I was benched anyway. The justifications given by the coach left me wondering: Why am I the one who had to be left out?
He was often accused that he lost his interest in football. Since he indulged into different (off the pitch) projects, like his Boa magazine or his connections with Jay Z. Boa defended himself against those accusations.
I’m still burning, I’m hot — I will attack again in the new season. I clearly imagine that I can continue at Bayern. I’m not going to run away, situations change quickly.
The latest reports are linking Boateng with PSG (again). Jerome was one of the best central-backs when he was in his prime. His passing is still not bested by the majority of the best midfielders. If it turns out that this was his last season at Bayern, it would definitely a very disappointing end to his glorious days at Munich.