Leon Goretzka will leave FC Bayern next summer. The fact that the international player will nevertheless end the winter transfer window in Munich is no coincidence – but the result of a deliberate, strategic decision that is convincing on both a sporting and personal level
After weeks of speculation, there is now clarity: Leon Goretzka will remain at FC Bayern until the end of the season, but will then leave the club. A solution that makes sense for all sides – and which stands out above all for its open, appreciative communication. This is precisely what Sky reporters Felix Fischer, Kerry Hau and Torben Hoffmann emphasized in the podcast Mia san vier
Appreciation instead of pigeonholing: how Goretzka’s situation was resolved
Hoffmann was particularly impressed by FC Bayern’s handling of the Goretzka situation, saying that the public approach at the press conference was a deliberate contrast to previous cases. „They’ve learned a bit from the past,“ said Hoffmann, praising the clear words of Vincent Kompany and sporting director Christoph Freund, who both made it clear that Goretzka was actually on the sales list in the summer but then made a conscious decision to compete
„I thought the way it was communicated was really good. Very respectful,“ said Hoffmann. Kompany in particular emphasised the character Goretzka had shown by „biting through“ and fighting back in sporting terms. The podcasters also liked the reaction of the player himself. Goretzka openly stated that he felt comfortable, appreciated the team and wanted to „grab“ the titles that were still possible. A departure with attitude – not with resentment
Why a winter sale would not have made sense
From a sporting point of view, an immediate departure was hardly justifiable anyway. Hau assessed the situation soberly and made it clear why FC Bayern deliberately decided against a winter sale despite possible savings. „What is it worth in the end if you lose a player you can rely on?“ asked Hau with a view to possible salary savings of five to eight million euros
Especially against physically strong opponents, Goretzka brings a profile that cannot be replaced at will in the current squad. Robustness, experience and presence in the center – qualities that can be decisive in the hot phase of the season. There is also the personal factor: with a view to a possible participation in the World Cup, a move abroad in winter would have been an unnecessary risk. „It would have been foolish to go somewhere now and not be set immediately,“ explained Hau
Instead, Goretzka remains part of a functioning structure, can deliver athletically and at the same time deal with potential new employers in peace. For FC Bayern, this means planning security, sporting depth and a farewell without any background noise
In the end, it is a solution that comes across as almost unusually calm – and that is precisely why it is so convincing. Goretzka leaves in the summer after successful years at FC Bayern, with titles, respect and a clear end. And the record champions show that clean personnel policy does not always require spectacular transfers, but sometimes simply smart decisions at the right time.