"Could be my successor": Hainer hints at Müller role at Bayern | OneFootball

Although Thomas Müller left FC Bayern this summer, the 2014 World Cup winner remains a topic of discussion at Säbener Straße – and at the highest level.

President Herbert Hainer has now openly spoken about a possible comeback for the long-time fan favorite and has even opened up a very special perspective.

“After it was clear he was leaving, Thomas Müller came to my office,” Hainer told the Münchner Abendzeitung. In that personal conversation, he advised the 36-year-old to take the step into MLS if he was aiming for a long-term career in sports. “I told him he should go to MLS if he wants to do something in sports later on,” said Hainer.

The Bayern president also emphasized that the doors at the record champions remain wide open for Müller: “He can work with us operationally. He can become a brand ambassador. He could even become my successor one day.”

With this, Hainer confirms what many fans have been hoping for: a return of Müller to FC Bayern does not seem to be ruled out – on the contrary, it even appears to be actively encouraged.

Müller moved from FC Bayern to Canada

In recent weeks, several club legends have made similar statements. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, a member of the supervisory board, recently explained that it is the explicit wish of the club to integrate deserving former players into leadership positions in the long term. Müller brings “charisma, experience, and an exceptional perspective on the game” to the table.

The former attacking player himself has recently reacted cautiously to speculation about a return. “That’s music for the future,” Müller said in a TV interview. He could imagine staying involved in football later on, but does not want to commit yet as to whether that would be in a coaching or managerial role.

Photo: IMAGO/Sven Simon

Currently, Müller is playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer, gaining new experiences both on and off the pitch. Hainer also sees this as a valuable phase for the future: “He is developing further there, getting to know a new culture – that can only be helpful for his second career.”

The fact that Hainer even sees Müller as a potential successor at the helm of FC Bayern one day shows the high regard the native Bavarian enjoys at the club. After more than 20 years in the Munich jersey, 756 competitive matches, ten championships, and two Champions League titles, Thomas Müller remains more than just a club legend – he could once again become a decisive figure at the club in the future.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.