Thomas Muller has announced he will depart Bayern Munich at the end of the season, bringing an end to a storied 25-year relationship with the German powerhouse. The 35-year-old, who came through Bayern’s youth ranks in 2000, said on social media that the club had decided against giving him a new deal.
“Even after so many years, I still like being on the field and fighting for titles. I could have seen continuing next year, but the club did not want to negotiate,” Muller said.
Muller is Bayern’s most decorated player with 12 Bundesliga titles, six German Cups and two Champions League crowns among his 33 trophies. He also lifted the World Cup with Germany in 2014. Having once been a key starter, Muller’s role has decreased in recent seasons, and so far under Vincent Kompany he has been mainly used in the fringes.
Bayern indicated that Muller could yet have a future role off the pitch. Herbert Hainer, the club president, described him as “the epitome of a Bavarian textbook career.”
Muller will appear for the last time in the U.S. this summer at the FIFA Club World Cup. Bayern remain at the top of the Bundesliga, too, and have their sights set on a second successive Champions League title with the final to be held at their Allianz Arena home.
