Uli Hoeness says neither Real Madrid, Manchester City, Barcelona nor Paris Saint-Germain can claim they will win the Champions League this season, as the Bayern Munich honorary president also defended his public criticism of teenager Lennart Karl.
Karl’s goal celebration against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday appeared to be directed at those who have questioned his attitude. After scoring in Bayern’s 2-0 Champions League victory, the young player placed his hands beside his ears and moved his fingers, a gesture widely interpreted as a response to the criticism.
Hoeness said the celebration did not bother him and suggested his comments may have helped motivate the 18-year-old German.
“I am not annoyed by it. I think I have contributed 50% to his goals in recent days because someone made a comment about his private life,” Hoeness told Bavarian broadcaster BR24.
He added that senior figures at clubs had a duty to help young players manage the attention that comes with their early success.
“We also have a responsibility to guide young players. I have a great deal of experience, and if an 18-year-old cannot learn something from me, then we might as well give up,” he said.
The Bayern legend said those in positions of authority should occasionally bring emerging players back down to earth.
“People responsible within clubs must bring young players back to reality a little. I do not need to intervene with a player such as Harry Kane, but when it is an 18-year-old who has no experience of dealing with these external influences, the people responsible – and I consider myself one of them – sometimes have to speak,” Hoeness said.
Hoeness had previously called on Karl to show greater humility, saying the midfielder was still some distance from becoming a major star. He also said he wanted to have a serious conversation with Karl about his development and how he handled growing media attention.
Those remarks created debate within Bayern Munich, particularly after former Germany and Bayern midfielder Michael Ballack, who advises Karl, defended the player. Ballack argued that criticising Karl publicly exposed him to increased pressure from the media.
Bayern’s European prospects
Hoeness also discussed Bayern’s chances of winning the Champions League, insisting the competition remains open and that no team can guarantee success.
“No club can say it will win the Champions League – not Real Madrid, not Manchester City, not Barcelona and not Paris Saint-Germain,” he said.
“For us, the important thing is that Bayern Munich have established themselves among the elite clubs in Europe.”
Hoeness added that Bayern’s strength came not only from their individual quality but also from their collective performance.
“We do not only have the best players individually; we also have a complete team, and our recent performances have proved that,” he said.
