Leverkusen boss relaxed about Wirtz’s future

Simon Rolfes responds after a fresh round of talks regarding the future of Florian Wirtz.

Bayer Leverkusen’s managing director Simon Rolfes responds to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge’s comments after his club’s comprehensive win in Frankfurt. The former Bayern CEO called Florian Wirtz “the best player in Germany” as he advised the Bavarians to make the 21-year-old their top target for next summer.

Rummenigge’s comments followed Bayern’s honorary president Uli Hoeneß saying it’s his dream to see Wirtz in Bayern jersey. For Rolfes, there is no surprise in seeing clubs interested in the star player.

“The fact that Florian (Wirtz) is a sought-after player throughout Europe, and that many people in football value his qualities is nothing new,” Rolfes starts his response with the usual calmness. “The development he’s made in recent years is outstanding. It’s really impressive how he keeps focused on the pitch, even though so much is being said about him. 

“That’s why I’m very relaxed about Bayern making statements like that, because I know Florian”

The timing of Bayern’s former executives rallying on the subject could mentally impact the upcoming Champions League tie against Leverkusen. While some find parallels with the Mario Götze story – Bayern causing chaos in their opponent’s dressing room – it could also come to haunt the record champions.

As Lothar Matthäus stressed, Rummenigge rating Wirtz as Germany’s best player might leave a negative impact on Bayern’s current star, Jamal Musiala. Bayern recently extended the contract of the 22-year-old through 2030.