Bayern president sets Man Utd on red alert with ‘advice’ for Jerome Boateng

Posted Monday, May 27, 2019 by Caughtoffside.com

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has advised his 'friend' Jerome Boateng to 'find a new challenge'.

Boateng has spent eight years in Bavaria, making 286 appearances and winning no fewer than 12 major honours along the way.

Is Boateng set to leave Bayern? Five key things to know…

1. Boateng joined Bayern from Man City in 2011.

2. Since then, the defender has made 286 appearances, winning 12 major honours.

3. But this season, he has been restricted to just 19 Bundesliga starts.

4. In the past, the Bayern hierarchy has criticised Boateng for his off-the-field commitments.

5. Uli Hoeness has now advised his 'friend' to 'find a new challenge'.

But the Germany international has fallen behind Niklas Sule in the defensive pecking order at the Allianz Arena and this season, under Niko Kovac, has been restricted to just 19 Bundesliga starts.

Members of the Bayern hierarchy have criticised Boateng's lack of focus in the past – with the 30-year-old releasing his own line of sunglasses as part of his personal ventures – and Hoeness has now sent a clear message to the former Man City man.

"As a friend, I would advise him to leave the club," he said.

"He needs a new challenge, he has seemed to be out of place recently."

Boateng admitted in 2018 that he rejected a move to Man Utd in favour of staying at Bayern. However, he did admit the prospect of a new challenge 'thrilled' him and as a result, United are likely to be on red alert following Hoeness' latest comments.

After a disappointing sixth-placed finish and trophyless season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to overhaul his side during the current transfer window, with a number of flops set to be replaced.

Kovac dismissal talk is a 'fairy tale', says Hoeness
Despite eventually winning the Bundesliga title, Bayern boss Kovac has had to face a number of questions regarding his future throughout the season, with his side trailing rivals Borussia Dortmund for much of the campaign.

But Kovac and his players recovered to seal a seventh consecutive Bundesliga title on the final day, while the Bavarians also crushed RB Leipzig 3-0 in the DFB-Pokal final to seal a domestic double.

And Hoeness has now moved to back Kovac, dismissing reports of him facing the sack as 'fairy tales'.

"It should be taken for granted that our coach next season will be Niko Kovac," he added.

"A team wouldn't be able to play such good football if the understanding with the manager wasn't good. The [dismissal reports] were all fairy tales."

"Will he stay? One hundred per cent, yes."