In a season riddled with mistakes and questionable decisions, Bayern Munich’s choice to loan Josip Stanišić to eventual title winners, Bayer Leverkusen, was amongst the worst. While no one predicted Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen to have such an electric season, Bayern did know the sale of Benjamin Pavard would leave them short-handed in the right-back and centre-back position. A role Stanišić seemed to be the natural heir to.
As the 24-year-old Croatian’s loan comes to a close, Die Roten are desperately trying to convince him to stay put at his parent club.
Josip Stanišić on Bayern’s plans with him when he returns from loan in the summer: “I’m not involved right now, but I’ve already had a few discussions. They [Bayern] said that I’m an integral part [of their plans]. My mind is still here [in Leverkusen] at the moment and it will… pic.twitter.com/bzsmFGVucz
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) April 22, 2024
Josip Stanišić on Bayern’s plans with him when he returns from loan in the summer: “I’m not involved right now, but I’ve already had a few discussions. They [Bayern] said that I’m an integral part [of their plans]. My mind is still here [in Leverkusen] at the moment and it will stay that way until the end of the season.”
One does have to wonder if Stanišić’s trust in Bayern has taken some strain after being snubbed for Pavard’s role. As it stands, the defender would also be coming into a club without a set coach for next season. Therefore it will be tough for “Stani” to know whether he is an “integral” part of Bayern’s plans until a new coach is appointed.
According to Stanišić’s agent (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), the player’s future is indeed tied to the new coach and how he plans to use the Bayern academy graduate.
Josip Stanišić’s agent Dieter Hoeneß was in Munich last Friday, potentially to discuss his client’s future with the people in charge. Leverkusen would like to sign Stanišić permanently, although there’s no option to buy in his contract. The defender’s Bayern future will depend on… pic.twitter.com/Ylhj39GbVb
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) April 23, 2024
Josip Stanišić’s agent Dieter Hoeneß was in Munich last Friday, potentially to discuss his client’s future with the people in charge. Leverkusen would like to sign Stanišić permanently, although there’s no option to buy in his contract. The defender’s Bayern future will depend on the perspective given to him by the new coach and how he plans with him. A decision is expected towards the end of the season.
Dieter Hoeneß being in Munich potentially discussing “Stani’s” future is a positive sign and shows that Bayern, despite not yet having appointed a new coach for next season, is keen to keep the versatile defender around.
Should Stanišić return to Bavaria, he will be walking into a much different scenario compared to when he left. If the right-back position was short-staffed, it is now filled to the brim with Noussair Mazraoui, Sacha Boey and Joshua Kimmich all fit to man the position. This may be enough for Stanišić to balk at the idea of a Bayern return.
Bayern Munich will also be sweating the interest from Bundesliga champions, Bayer Leverkusen. Die Werkself may be able to offer Stanišić something Bayern currently can’t, a stable environment with a defined role. As his loan stipulates, there is no option for Leverkusen to buy. This allows Bayern to play hard ball for any transfer negotiations involving the Croatian international.
Either way you slice it, Bayern Munich have a great talent and real professional in Josip Stanišić. Die Rekordmeister will surely pull out all the stops to convince him to stay put, however, a crack in trust, a backlogged position and interest from Leverkusen may be enough to steer “Stani’s” future elsewhere.
Looking for more thoughts and analysis on Bayern Munich’s upcoming Bundesliga match vs. Eintracht Frankfurt? Well, we have you covered with the Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show, which is available on Spotify or below: