Former Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness believes Jogi Low will reinstate Thomas Muller to German national team

We really haven’t heard too much from Uli Hoeness ever since he had his back-and-forth jabs with Pini Zahavi over David Alaba’s contract situation at Bayern Munich back in September. Hoeness went as far as calling Zahavi a “greedy piranha” in his verbal jousts with Alaba’s agent, but that’s the last time he’s really made public comments on FC Bayern.

Over the weekend, Hoeness was a guest on the “Focus Sport” television show and he had a decent amount to say about both Bayern and the DFB’s recent decision to keep Joachim Löw as manager of the German National Team (via Tz).

For starters, he commented on the recent rumors suggesting a potential return to Die Mannschaft is entirely off the table for Thomas Muller. Hoeness said he feels that Low will eventually bring Muller back into the team.

“For me Thomas is in the form he is now, a win for every team,” said Hoeness. “I am convinced that — in the discussions we are currently having — he is certainly one of those who Jogi Löw will not be without in the spring.”

The suggestion also applied to Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels, but Muller was the focus for Hoeness because of how good he’s been playing for Bayern both this season and last season.

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Despite defensive struggles so far this season, Hoeness also spoke highly of the development at Bayern under Hansi Flick. He stepped into a difficult situation last year, completely reinvigorated the squad, secured a historic treble, and picked up this season right where they left off. It’s obviously been a struggle with the truncated schedule to keep everyone healthy and fully fit, but for the most part, Flick has got his personnel decisions right. Of course, the defense has shown their fair share of weaknesses thus far this season and giving up 3 goals against RB Leipzig this weekend wasn’t exactly ideal, but Hoeness doesn’t see that as too much cause for concern.

“It was a great football game from both sides,” Hoeness said. “I’m someone who sees the big picture and doesn’t pick out individual things. I’m sure we will be at the top in the end. I am very satisfied with the development. After the winter break, we will regain our strength.”

Hoeness is right, too as far as re-strengthening. At some point after the brief winter break, Joshua Kimmich, Corentin Tolisso, and Alphonso Davies will all be returning from injuries, which will be like having some new signings. Javi Martinez now also faces a spell on the sidelines due to a thigh problem, but hopefully he’ll be back by the start of the new year.

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