Why is Thomas Müller leaving Bayern Munich?

According to reports by German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung, club finances are key. Müller is reportedly one of the top earners at Bayern Munich, with an annual salary of over €10 million (about $10.8 million). Bayern are looking to save money after signing Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, Manuel Neuer and Alphonso Davies to new deals. According to German football magazine kicker, revenue from the Club World Cup this summer is saving Bayern from making a loss in 2024/25. And so, 35-year-old Müller, who is no longer a regular starter for the club, is an obvious candidate for release.

Even if, as reports suggest, Müller was shocked not to be offered an extension, it's also clear the he is no longer playing as big a role as he used to. Müller played just 4 minutes across both legs of Bayern's recent Champions League tie against Celtic and 6 minutes in the next round against Bayer Leverkusen.

In the Bundesliga this season, he has spent most of the campaign coming off the bench for a handful of minutes at the end of games. Bayern feel now is the time to move on from the club legend.

What does this mean for Bayern Munich?

The decision is seismic. Müller has been at the club since he was 10 years old. He has played 24 seasons and scored 150 Bundesliga goals. He is fourth on the all-time Champions League appearance list, and the only one in top four to have played for just one club.

Müller will leave as the player who has made the most appearances in the 125-year history of Bayern Munich, and won a remarkable 33 titles for Germany's record champions in that time. It's not only the end of an era, but the departure of one of the last one-club legends.

"There will never be anyone else like him," said former Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick.

"Müller is the most extraordinary player in German football history, along with the great Gerd Müller," another former Bayern coach, Jupp Heynckes, said in 2020.

Müller's records are one thing, but his manner will also be missed. He is a jovial character off the field, who also plays the game in an unusual manner compared to many modern footballers. He is not the fastest or the strongest, but more often than not in the right place at the right time.

Famously dubbed the "Raumdeuter" (space interpreter) for his ability to manipulate space on the field of play, Müller became so popular and relatable because he represented a footballer of a bygone era.

His impact will also likely be felt in the locker room. Nicknamed "Radio Müller" for his incessant chatter on the field to help his team win, his jokes and experience will be a notable absence after he leaves. Combined with the fact that another veteran, Manuel Neuer (39), is also coming to the end of his career, Bayern Munich are facing a real change in player leadership in the coming years.

How does his departure affect the Bundesliga?

Müller will leave the league having won 12 Bundesliga titles, with a 13th likely to follow in 2025, and his absence will be felt. He is the international face of Bayern Munich and, especially after the 2014 World Cup win, German football as a whole.

During the 2014 tournament in Brazil, Adidas reported a notable increase in demand for jerseys featuring Müller and the number 13. Over a decade later, his widespread popularity remains.

His huge media presence will also be a loss to the league. Müller has 14.6 million Instagram followers, and his engaging and down-to-earth manner have made him popular in countries across the world. His presence on Bayern's preseason tours to Japan, Singapore and the US have helped both the club and league to grow.

What's next for Müller?

Müller won't play for another Bundesliga team, but reports indicate that a move to a team in Major League Soccer (MLS) is possible. He would be following in the footsteps of his former Germany teammate Marco Reus, who joined LA Galaxy last season after he left Borussia Dortmund, the club at which he spent 12 years.

The move makes sense in many ways. Müller still has something to offer on the field, his personality and media presence are a draw and a win for an American audience in a league that continues to grow. Furthermore, with the 2026 World Cup taking place in the US, Canada and Mexico, a move to the US would be well timed. While he has retired from international duty, the former Germany star would still be playing in a place that will be the focus of the football world.

Before then, though, a farewell game is expected. Reus' final appearance for Dortmund was the Champions League final, and Müller and Bayern will be hoping to finish in the same again, albeit with a victory. For Bayern there is also the added incentive of this year's final being in Munich. A fairy-tale finish beckons for one of German football's most legendary players.

Edited by: Matt Pearson