Daily Schmankerl: Bayern interest in Havertz waning, Lucio retires, Hertha signs Piatek, Goretzka and Boateng make up, and more!

Lucio retires at 41 years old (kicker)

Bayern Munich legend and 2002 World Cup winter — over Germany! — Lucio has at long last called it a career.

Lucio — that is, Lucimar Ferreira da Silva — began his Bundesliga career with Bayer Leverkusen in 2001 and transferred to Bayern in 2004, with whom he played in 212 games until 2009. He won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal three times each. After transferring to Inter Milan, he won a treble with Jose Mourinho, defeating his former club in the Champions League final.

Bayern Munich cooling interest in Kai Havertz?

According to TZ journalist Manuel Bonke, who has been very reliable in terms of transfer news as of late, Bayern Munich are unlikely to sign Kai Havertz this summer.

Koa Kai? At the moment, it looks a lot like Kai #Havertz will not transfer to #FCBayern in the summer. The priority is a winger, i.e. Leroy #Sane, Signing him is proving to be more difficult than expected on account of his change of agent, but is of course still possible.

According to Florian Plettenberg of Sport1, however, both sides are still in contact with each other.

Make of it what you will.

Hertha Berlin signs Krzysztof Piatek from AC Milan (kicker)

An injection of capital in the capital club, thanks to new investor Lars Windhorst, has enabled Hertha Berlin to complete several major transfers moves this window as they prepare to fight relegation in the Rückrunde and beyond.

Hertha just signed Lucas Tousart from Olympique Lyon for a club-record €24m. Tousart, however, will not arrive until the summer, but Hertha has found more immediate help with a mega transfer from Serie A: Polish star Krzystof Piatek for €23m. AC Milan spent €38m just a year ago, January 2019, to sign Piatek from Genoa, but his standing has diminished, and Milan just brought Zlatan Ibrahimovic back to play in his position.

Hertha is probably not yet done either: the club reportedly has inquiries from England for Davie Selke and longtime veteran Kalou and may also make a move for RB Leipzig youngster Matheus Cunha.

How it all comes together under Jürgen Klinsmann will be one of the most interesting storylines of the Rückrunde.

Friedhelm Funkel celebrated then fired by Fortuna Düsseldorf

Last-place Fortuna Düsseldorf has fired coach Friedhelm Funkel as they hope a new coach can save the team from relegation. The strange thing about the timing of his dismissal, though, is that literally 16 hours earlier, the club congratulated Funkel for winning Coach of the Year for the outstanding results he achieved last season, in which Fortuna remarkably finished 10th.

See for yourself. First Fortuna sent this:

And then this:

Funkel decided to call it a career.

Christine Sinclair surpasses Abby Wambach as all-time scorer

A brace by Christine Sinclair saw her first tie and then overtake Abby Wambach as the all-time international goal-scorer with 186 goals for Canada. Congratulations from Wambach, Mia Hamm, and other legends of the game came pouring in. It is a great moment for the sport.

Woo-Yeong Jeong is back!

It’s all good between Goretzka and Boateng

Who hasn’t clocked his brother once or twice, amirite? After getting into it in training, the two antagonists made up and shared a photo on their Instagram channels. Boateng added an amusing hashtag to his post: #allesfürdieheadline, i.e. “everything for the headline.”

Liverpool increase their lead by 19 points

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool has amazingly dropped only two points in 24 games and now is unbeaten in 41 Premier League matches. After winning against West Ham away last night 2-0, Liverpool are 19 points ahead of Manchester City.

Jurgen Klopp stayed as humble as ever in his post-match comments:

I’m only happy about the three points, tonight was a normal performance. I have no idea [if anyone will catch us]. The first target is to get the maximum points — there are still a lot of games. Yes we have 70 points, an incredible number, but so many things can happen. I’m not too much concerned about records.

What is most impressive is Liverpool’s mentality. Like in recent victories against Tottenham, Manchester United and Wolves, Liverpool was not the best team, producing little end-product in the final third despite dominating possession. Yet, they keep on winning.

And, a new record was set after West Ham’s defeat:

Steve Bergwijn signs for Tottenham Hotspurs

Dutch talent Steve Bergwijn has left PSV Eindhoven to try his luck in the Premier League for Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur. His contract will run to 2025 and the price tag is reported to be £27m. Bergwijn, who has scored 5 goals for PSV this season, is happy to sign for a bigger club and to work with Jose Mourinho.