Bayern Munich’s drawn-out and ultimately failed transfer saga with Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah left an impression this summer. The 28-year-old, who starred at EURO 2024 for Germany, is now firm that this will be his final season playing for Die Werkself.
“I’ve been in Leverkusen for nine years,” Tah explained in an interview for SZ (as captured by @iMiaSanMia). “I experienced all the ups and downs here and the highlight was the fantastic last season in which we won almost everything. It couldn’t have been better. And that’s why I thought: If I extend my contract in Leverkusen now, at 28, that means that I will play here until my early to mid-thirties…
“A football career is short, and that’s why it has always been my idea to get everything possible out of it. I simply want to exploit the potential that lies in my career. And in the summer I had the feeling that now is the moment to look at something new — right now, after this extremely successful season.
“I did what a player can do: communicate my wishes clearly and openly. But at that point the player is out of it — and then the clubs have to come to an agreement. And sometimes things get a bit wild, there are rumors, speculation — and in the end the player suffers. We players are doing great, don’t get me wrong, but in a situation like that you are dependent as a player and no longer have any control.
“There were other offers, not just from FC Bayern. I like playing in Leverkusen. But I would have liked everything to be as rational as possible and not have so many emotions involved.”
So after a long run, it is decisively over for Tah at Leverkusen — who dismissed the possibility that he could still change his mind as the title defense campaign continues.
“No, my decision is just as clear as it was before,” Tah continued. “I will not extend my contract — for the career reasons I mentioned before. I still have a contract until 2025, and until then I will give everything for Leverkusen.”
And now for the part Bayern fans will be keen on:
• And when the Germany squad is published in a year, will Jonathan Tah be listed under “defense” and “Bayern Munich” in brackets?
Tah: “Good question [laughs]. We’ll see. I’m not really thinking about that yet, I’ve got a season with Bayer Leverkusen ahead of me.”
[@SZ]
With Matthijs de Ligt now at Manchester United, it looks like there is room for one more center-back at Bayern Munich.
Looking for more thoughts and analysis of Germany’s 5-0 destruction of Hungary? Great, then check out the Bavarian Podcast Works — Postgame Show on Patreon, Spotify, or below:
