Germany U21 assistant and Bayern legend puts pressure on Wanner: “He has to deliver!”

Germany U21 assistant and Bayern icon Hermann Gerland is challenging Paul Wanner to live up to his vast talent.

Hermann ‘Tiger’ Gerland, assistant coach of Germany’s U21 team and former Bayern Munich assistant, has set clear expectations for rising star Paul Wanner.

Wanner showed glimpses of his potential during his loan spell at Heidenheim last season, but Gerland believes the 19-year-old Bayern youngster needs to show more consistency.

“If I had had the talent back then like Paul does, I would’ve already played around 100 games for Bayern Munich by the age of 19,” Gerland told Bild.

“Paul was once in the Bayern professional team’s dressing room at a game. I grabbed him there and talked about a match against Heidenheim’s U19s, which Paul took part in and we lost. I said, ‘Kid, listen up: YOU have to decide the game! With your ability, you should be asking Heidenheim: How many goals do you want me to score? Three, four, or five?’ 

“Then Thomas Müller, who overheard this, said to me: ‘Hey ‘Tiger’ (Gerland’s nickname), that’s not necessary. Don’t be so hard on the kid!’ But no! That’s exactly what I have to do. I have to be tough on him. Someone has to tell him the truth!

“The abilities Paul has are incredible. In training, he scores beautifully four times with his left foot and five times with his right. What I want to say is: Everyone is the architect of their own fortune. And Paul has been gifted by God with as much talent as very, very few others on this planet. Maybe only Wirtz and Musiala come close – but it’s up to him. Paul has to deliver.”

Wanner will be hoping to shine at the U21 European Championship, where Germany face Slovenia in their opening match on Thursday evening.