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Almost a year ago, just before Bayern Munich faced Liverpool in the Champions League, Germany coach Joachim Low took the unprecedented decision to publicly cut three key players — Thomas Muller, Jerome Boateng, and Mats Hummels — from the national team. At the time, this decision was met with harsh criticism, but perhaps not as harsh as it deserved, given that Bayern had a UCL tie to worry about.
Now, with the Euros fast approaching, Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has called for Thomas Muller to be returned to the national team setup:
I have to say, first of all, that Joachim Low last year made what was for all of us a surprising — let’s call it a story — in which he declared the national career of the three, Jerome and Mats, to be over. I don’t know whether that was clever to permanently slam the door.
You see now, especially Thomas is slowly coming back into a second spring. That’s important for us, because we need his goals, we need his assists; we also need his Bavarian esprit. Without a doubt he is an important player for us.
Yeah, I would not like to give advice to Jogi Low. I think he is experienced enough, he has celebrated major successes with the national team, and I say when someone is playing outstandingly, and I hope that Thomas continues to play at this outstanding level, then maybe some rethinking will take place.
Muller himself has experienced an incredible resurgence in form since Hansi Flick took over. Der Raumdeuter has registered 2 goals and 10 assists in 8 Bundesliga games since he was restored to the starting lineup, after suffering a prolonged period on the bench under Niko Kovac.
Bayern President Herbert Hainer also chimed in on the topic, saying,
Thomas Muller can be used everywhere, whether in Munich or at the Euro. I’m not familiar with the most recent plans, that would also have to agree with the plans of the club, but Thomas Muller does every team good.
Of course, Muller is not the only one who would help the national team in its current state — Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng would be just as important. However, with Jogi Low’s stubbornness at play, it’s unlikely that any of the three exiles will get a chance to go to the Euros this year. In any case, players always appreciate support from the bosses, and KHR’s comments hint positively at a potential contract extension for Muller. Let’s hope things keep going well for him and Bayern.