Keeper-drama: young FC Bayern goal-keeper declares his unhappiness with the club

Before Alexander Nübel signed with FC Bayern Munich, there were already four keepers on the roster — captain Manuel Neuer, Sven Ulreich, Christian Früchtl, and Ron-Thorben Hoffman. Now five keepers will be fighting for playing time between the first and second teams. Hoffman has voiced his displeasure with the club and has asked for a transfer. He told this to Bild (paywall)

FC Bayern rejected my transfer request, because the club wanted to go into the season with four keepers. The intended signing Alexander Nübel did not come up in discussions with my agent this summer but significantly changes my situation.

Hoffmann says that he had offers from other teams, but decided to stay with FC Bayern, expecting to have playing time in the 3. Liga with the second team. Of the offers he received, he says,

Among them were Union Berlin and a Swedish first-league team. Also Magdeburg and Uerdingen from the 3. Liga were interested in signing me. I was promised that the games in the 3. Liga would be split between both of us keepers as in the past. This has not happened so far.

Hoffmann played in only one game during the Hinrunde of the 3. Liga. Because of this, and realizing that he will probably be the fourth or fifth keeper on the roster, Hoffmann has given the club an ultimatum:

If FC Bayern sees me as the third goalkeeper and we play in the 3. Liga, Bayern will remain an option for me. Otherwise I am gone. Then I would want a release.

Based on the playing time this year so far, Hoffmann doesn’t appear to be the third guy. Unless Christian Früchtl and Sven Ulreich both leave, Hoffmann will have a lot of work to do in the Rückrunde to earn his spot.