End of 'Bavarian fairytale': Müller and Bayern part ways

The Thomas Müller era at Bayern Munich will end after 25 years in summer as the Bundesliga leaders will not renew the contract of their iconic forward beyond the season.

Müller, 35, joined Bayern as a boy in 2000 and has played a club record 743 games for them, winning 33 trophies, including 12 Bundesliga titles, six German Cups and two Champions Leagues.

Müller said on Instagram on Saturday he respected the decision of the club although he wanted to stay on. He did not reveal plans for the future.

Bayern stated squad planning for the future as the reason for the decision to part ways with their fan favourite who made his first team debut in 2008. Müller only played sporadically this season.

Bayern said he would get his own testimonial and that his last matches would be at the Club World Cup in summer in the United States.

His last home game in Munich would either be on May 10 in the Bundesliga against Borussia Mönchengladbach, or ideally the May 31 Champions League final.

Müller respects decision

"Even after all these years, regardless of my playing minutes, I still have a lot of fun being on the pitch with the lads and fighting for titles together for our colours. I could have easily imagined myself in this role next year as well," Müller said on Instagram.

"But the club made a conscious decision not to negotiate a new contract with me for next season. Even if this was not in line with my personal wishes, it is important that the club follows its convictions.

"I respect this step, which the board and supervisory board certainly did not take lightly."

He added in a Bayern statement: "The special connection to the club and our fantastic fans will always remain. What I want as a farewell should be clear: titles we can celebrate together, and moments we’ll remember fondly for a long time."

Bayern praise but new priorities

Bayern president Herbert Hainer said that Müller "is the definition of a Bavarian fairytale career; he grew up in Bavaria and with Bayern.

"Nobody has won more Bundesliga titles, and 33 trophies in total so far speak volumes. He ranks among the most outstanding personalities in FC Bayern history.”

But Bayern lately prioritised the contract extensions of Manuel Neuer, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich and Alphonso Davies.

There was no longer a place for Müller who was famous for being a Raumdeuter (interpreter of space) in the oppositions' half, which resulted in 247 goals and 273 assists for Bayern, plus 45 goals in 131 Germany caps highlighted by the 2014 World Cup title.

"Thomas doesn’t play according to the textbook – he writes his own," board member for sport Max Eberl said.

“The key factor in the end was simply the squad planning, where we’re putting the focus on the future. The talks we conducted with Thomas were open and transparent on both sides. Thomas knows he’s held in the highest regard at FC Bayern, and this decision doesn’t change that."

Sporting director Christoph Freund said: "There’ll never be another one like him, that’s for sure, and he internalised FC Bayern from a young age. This decision was extremely hard, as everyone can understand."

The future?

Bayern reportedly want to keep Müller's services in a different function at the club in the future.

But it is unclear whether Müller wants to retire in summer or switch clubs for only the second time in his career, after joining Bayern as a 10-year-old from TSV Pähl.

There is speculation about a move to the United States but first comes the hunt for three final trophies.

"We’re going to give our all in the coming weeks to bring the league title back to Munich and reach our coveted ‘Finale Dahoam’ (the Champions League final at home). Let’s do it together!”