Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeneß defended his warning to 18-year-old midfielder Lennart Karl while speaking on Sonntags-Stammtisch on Bayerischer Rundfunk. The debate followed Hoeneß's critical comments about Karl's lifestyle and social-media activity, along with his warning of “a serious talk”.
Hoeneß explains his position
Hoeneß said: “I think I'm responsible for 50 per cent of his goals in recent days, after someone said something about his private life. We also have a duty to give young players a bit of guidance.”
He added: “I have so much experience, and if a young 18-year-old won't take anything more from me, then we have to stop.”
Karl scores in Bayern victories
Karl scored the opener in Tuesday evening's 2-0 Champions League win away to Atletico Madrid. He also scored in Saturday's Bundesliga meeting with Mainz 05, a 2-1 win, putting Bayern Munich 2-0 ahead at the time.
Celebration target remains unclear
Karl initially celebrated his goal in a huddle with his Munich team-mates before making a “blah-blah” gesture with both hands. It remained unclear who the celebration was aimed at.
Asked whether it might have been directed at him, Hoeneß replied: “I don't know, but it doesn't bother me either.”
Appearances and international call-up
Karl withdrew from the World Cup because of a muscle tear and then had an enforced break. He has made 14 competitive appearances for Bayern this season and has played the full 90 minutes only once, registering five goal contributions: three goals and two assists.
National team coach Jürgen Klopp has called up Karl, who has four caps, for the Nations League matches against Serbia on 13 November and the Netherlands on 16 November.
Hoeneß also recalled: “Bastian Schweinsteiger once had black fingernails. Franz Beckenbauer said: 'I'll rip them off him.'”
