“My story at Bayern is over”. These were the words of Robert Lewandowski as he announced that he had no intention of staying at the German club. The statement came after weeks of rumours stating that Lewandowski was unhappy with how the club’s top hierarchy treated him. This was said to be the end of the Lewandowski saga at Bayern Munich
The Polish striker had joined the Bavarians in 2013 on a free transfer, yes, a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund. The club had hit two birds with one stone. First, they had landed a world-class striker on a free, and second, they had weakened their major rival Dortmund. And he excelled at Bayern, scoring 344 goals and providing 72 assists while winning 19 trophies.
His best season at the club was the 2019-20 season, where he scored 55 goals and provided ten assists. Bayern Munich won the sextuple that season, becoming only the second club after Barcelona to do so.
However, now it appears that Lewandowski’s nine-year relationship with the club is coming to an acrimonious end.
So, how did Lewandowski go from calling Bayern his ‘sporting home’ to denouncing the Allianz Arena, and that too so spectacularly?
Lewandowski saga: Player vs Bayern hierarchy
Coming into the 2021-22 season, The Polish striker had two years left on his contract. So, it was expected that the club would open talks with him during the season. Other than him, Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry, and Manuel Neuer also had two years left on their contract.
The club had already seen defender David Alaba leave on a free and were keen not to let that happen again. However, for some reason, talks didn’t begin between the two parties.
It is now contemplated that Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic were looking to the future beyond Lewandowski. Bayern liked him, but they were looking to swoop for Dortmund’s Erling Haaland as succession planning. The Norwegian is a top-level striker, and any club having him could be assured for at least a decade.
Bayern director Hasan Salihamidžić tells Bild: “Lewandowski called me. Among other things, we spoke about his public statements. I clearly explained our position regarding his contract situation”, his words to @altobelli13. 🔴 #FCBayern
Lewandowski only wants Barcelona move.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 7, 2022
Reports also said Bayern were ready to offer him a contract far better than Lewandowski. But, ultimately, it was Manchester City…
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