Berlin
Bayern Munich have confirmed 32-year-old centre-back Jerome Boateng will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, but the decision has sparked obvious tensions behind the scenes.
Bayern have already signed France centre-back Dayot Upamecano, 22, from Bundesliga rivals RB Leipzig for the 2021/22 season, effectively hastening Boateng’s departure.
“That was a joint decision of the club management and the coach was also involved,” sports director Hasan Salihamidzic told Sky. “I explained that to Jerome, he understood.”
Boateng was at fault for Paris Saint-Germain’s winning goal as Bayern’s 19-match unbeaten run in the Champions League ended as they lost 3-2 in Wednesday’s quarter-final, first leg.
He struggled to mark Kylian Mbappe when the fleet-footed 22-year-old scored the visitors’ crucial third goal at the Allianz Arena with the return to come in Paris on Tuesday. Behind the scenes, confirmation of Boateng’s exit is causing tension.
On Tuesday, head coach Hansi Flick spoke out in favour of keeping the 2014 World Cup winner, saying “everyone knows how I feel about Jerome and what quality he has”.
Although Salihamidzic later said Flick agreed with the decision, Bayern’s head coach suggested otherwise in the press conference after Wednesday’s defeat.
Flick refused to answer when asked if it was the right decision to let Boateng leave.—AFP
