Hermann Gerland recalls Karim Adeyemi’s exit at Bayern Munich, while Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Real Madrid join the hunt

Former Bayern Munich assistant coach Hermann “Tiger” Gerland was heavily involved with the youth program at Bayern Munich when Karim Adeyemi was on campus.

Adeyemi, of course, left the club over a disciplinary action, but is now back on the team’s radar. Gerland, who was the sporting director of Bayern Munich II at the time, recounted the situation from his perspective.

“He didn’t behave well. He made a mistake. But a boy who is 10 or 11 years old must be allowed to make mistakes,” Gerland told the podcast Der Sixteen (as captured by SPOX). “We have psychologists and educators on campus and they all want nice, nice players. They would have said ‘cut your hair off, otherwise you won’t play’.”

Gerland said that he fought to keep Adeyemi on campus, but there was a clear divide over the situation.

“I called the mother and said ‘Ms. Adeyemi, this is a thing that happened at some point, but Bayern Munich is a top club, I’ll take care of it.’ I had no chance to get him back. I tried. I called his mother, if she had given me any hint, I would have done anything,” Gerland said.

Now, Adeyemi is a prized transfer target toiling away at Red Bull Salzburg. In addition to Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Leipzig, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are now in the running for the Germany international.