bayern Munich’s Bitter Pill: Club Officials Claim Liverpool Broke Promise too Florian Wirtz
Liverpool’s acquisition of Florian Wirtz continues to be a sore spot for Bayern Munich, with club officials now alleging the Reds reneged on a promise regarding the coveted number 10 shirt – a claim that appears to be a desperate attempt to rationalize losing out on the German international.
The transfer of Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen to Liverpool last summer, reportedly worth up to £116 million, was a critically important coup for the Premier League side. Initially assigned the number 58, Wirtz later inherited the iconic number seven jersey following Luis Diaz’s departure to Bayern Munich. Though, the debate surrounding the number 10 shirt, currently held by Alexis Mac Allister, continues to simmer, especially in Germany.
Wirtz himself swiftly dismissed suggestions he had demanded the number 10 upon his arrival at anfield, taking to instagram to state, “Who says I want the [ten emoji] I respect players,” and adding, “Don’t believe everything what’s written [clown emoji].” He and Mac Allister even participated in a lighthearted advertisement for the Google Pixel 10, playfully addressing the rumors.
Despite Wirtz’s public stance and the humorous ad campaign, the narrative has resurfaced, this time fueled by figures within Bayern Munich. According to reports, honorary president Uli Hoeness recently claimed that Liverpool manager Arne Slot had broken a promise to Wirtz, specifically regarding building the team around him while offering the number 10 shirt. “Slot promised Wirtz something that he’s now clearly not keeping,” Hoeness reportedly stated.”Building the new team around him with the number 10 shirt. That was rubbish.” He went on to express concern over Wirtz’s playing time and impact at Liverpool, suggesting he receives limited touches and harsh criticism.
Further amplifying the discontent, Bayern Munich’s director of sport, Max Eberl, acknowledged the club’s strong interest in Wirtz and reiterated that they were clear about Jamal Musiala being designated the number 10 at the allianz Arena. “Shirt numbers are an important topic for players,” Eberl told Bild, as quoted by Bavarian football Works. “We made it clear in all our discussions that we would have loved to have him at FC Bayern and that he would have been a grate fit for us.” He confirmed Wirtz ultimately chose Liverpool.
The repeated assertions from Munich suggest a lingering frustration over missing out on a player they clearly coveted. It’s a narrative that conveniently overlooks Wirtz’s own statements and the playful response he shared with Mac Allister. While Wirtz experienced a slow start to his Liverpool career, he has demonstrated increasing form following his return from injury in November, impressing manager Arne Slot with his skill and growing influence.
“The way he [Wirtz] handles the ball, how comfortable he is with that,” Slot said after Liverpool’s recent victory over Brighton & Hove Albion. “I think he is also one of the players I mean when I say he is getting better and better. He’s getting stronger and stronger, running peopel off the ball, all the hard work the players have put in in the last few months is paying off more and more if you look at individual performances.”
These positive performances are likely onyl exacerbating Bayern’s regret. Pointing to the number 10 shirt as a pivotal factor in Wirtz’s decision, while ignoring his clear public statements, feels like a desperate attempt to justify a transfer failure and a bitter pill for the Bavarian giants to swallow.
