Thomas Muller to exit Bayern Munich this summer after failing to negotiate new contract - 'A Bavarian fairytale'

Thomas Muller and Bayern Munich have officially announced they will part ways this summer, after the German completes a quarter of a century in service of his boyhood club. Despite Muller admitting he wanted to stay, the 35-year-old will play his final matches for Bayern at the end-of-season FIFA Club World Cup. Muller is Bayern Munich's record appearance-maker, currently tallying 743 matches.

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Thomas Muller has officially announced that Bayern Munich have refused to renegotiate a new contract with him for next season.
The 35-year-old’s future has been the subject of much speculation, with the German’s current deal at his boyhood club expiring at the end of June this year.
But Muller put an end to the rumours when he released an open letter to the Bayern Munich supporters on Saturday, noting that his impending release was "not in line with my personal wishes".
"After a lot of speculation about me recently, I would like to use this letter to you as an opportunity to clarify things," wrote Muller on his official website (in German).
"Even after all these years, regardless of my playing minutes, I still have a lot of fun being on the pitch with the boys and fighting for titles together for our colours. I could have easily imagined myself in this role next year as well.
"However, the club made a conscious decision not to negotiate a new contract with me for next season. Even if this was not in line with my personal wishes, it is important that the club follows its convictions. I respect this step, which the Executive Board and Supervisory Board certainly did not take lightly.
"I understandably did not like the back and forth in public over the past weeks and months. However, I feel the same way about my football game: it wasn't always characterised by perfection either, but rather by thinking positively ahead to the next action. After a misplaced pass, you have to win the ball back with team unity. Over the past few days, we have also managed to do this in trusting discussions."
Muller, who retired from international football after winning his 131st cap at Euro 2024, has won 20 major trophies for Bayern Munich.
These include 12 Bundesliga, six DFB-Pokal and two UEFA Champions League titles.
"I can feel the appreciation from everyone involved for my long time at FC Bayern and feel a deep sense of joy at having played for my favourite club for 25 incredibly intensive years. I will always remember so many great moments together," continued Muller’s post.
Muller was a second-half substitute for the injured Jamal Musiala on Friday evening, as Bayern ran out 3-1 winners at Augsburg.
It was the German’s 23rd Bundesliga appearance this season, though only eight of those have been starts.
With Musiala ruled out of the club’s Champions League quarter-final against Internazionale on Tuesday - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - Muller could be in line for his fourth European start of this campaign.
Muller said he would "give everything" to reach the Champions League final, which will be held at Bayern’s Allianz Arena on May 31.
"Now the full focus is on our sporting goals for the season," added Muller.
"It would be a dream come true for me to bring the championship trophy back home and reach the much longed-for home final at the end of May. I will give everything for that.
"Thank you for everything that has been and for everything that is yet to come. Onwards and upwards FC Bayern."
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Bayern: There will never be another one like Muller

Bayern Munich subsequently confirmed the news, announcing that Muller would be given a testimonial and play his last match at the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
"World Cup winner, two-time treble winner, record appearance maker: FC Bayern and Thomas Muller, 35, have decided together to bring an end to a unique career spanning 25 years and 33 trophies this summer," read Bayern's statement.
"Bavaria-born Muller joined the FC Bayern academy at the age of 10 in summer 2000, underwent an unparalleled development, made history with the club, won everything there is to win and has become the club’s record appearance maker with a total of 743 competitive matches.
"The German record champions will honour Muller’s magnificent career with, among other things, his own testimonial. It’s also been agreed that the two-time treble winner and world champion will play his final games for Bayern at the FIFA Club World Cup."
President Herbert Hainer added: "Thomas Muller is the definition of a Bavarian fairytale career; he grew up in Bavaria and with Bayern. From Ammersee to the Allianz Arena, as far as Asia and America. Nobody has won more Bundesliga titles, and 33 trophies in total so far speaks volumes. He ranks among the most outstanding personalities in FC Bayern history."
And sporting director Christoph Freund said: "Thomas Muller: no tricks, no show, just an incredible amount of instinct and extraordinary reading of the game – a pure footballer.
"There’ll never be another one like him, that’s for sure."
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