Lennart Karl is going through a difficult phase at FC Bayern. Former captain Thomas Helmer is now issuing a clear warning to the young player.
For the first time at FC Bayern, Lennart Karl is going through a phase where the conversation is no longer just about his great potential. Following his rapid rise to prominence, the focus is now primarily on his slump in form and several public reprimands from the club. Now, former Bayern captain Thomas Helmer has weighed in—and his words are clear.
“Now that he’s been warned, he has to take it to heart and draw the right conclusions. Because nothing comes easy at Bayern,” Helmer told SPORT1.
The 18-year-old has faced criticism from his own club on several occasions in recent weeks. Sporting director Max Eberl spoke of “one or two missteps,” while honorary president Uli Hoeneß publicly called for more humility. Helmer sees these statements as a deliberate message from Bayern’s leadership.
“Sometimes it’s a tactical move when people within the club coordinate and say, ‘Coach, you’re not going to do that—we’re going to handle this now. I, as sporting director Max Eberl, or I, as honorary president Uli Hoeneß,’” explained the 1996 European champion.
Helmer also holds Karl’s inner circle accountable
In Helmer’s view, it’s not just Karl himself who needs to step up. Those around him must also help draw the right conclusions from the current situation. “He actually has an advisor in Michael Ballack who should tell him this—and who will certainly do so,” said the former Bayern captain.
As an example of Karl’s current behavior, Helmer cited a scene from the 6-1 DFB Cup victory over 1. FC Magdeburg. There, the attacking player performed several step-overs from a standing position before passing the ball on. “Yesterday, he had another move like that on the field, where he did a quadruple step-over from a standstill and then passed the ball on. Of course, that always comes across as a little provocative,” said Helmer.
At FC Bayern itself, Karl’s athletic development continues to be viewed in a nuanced way despite the public criticism. After the cup match, Eberl pointed out that ups and downs are part of the process for young players: “I’ve said this before: With a young player, it’s not the case that every performance curve goes only upward. There are bound to be setbacks as well.”