Süle explains his absence from the Bayern game in Wolfsburg

Munich – National soccer player Niklas Süle has explained his much-discussed renunciation of FC Bayern Munich’s last game of the season.

“Last Thursday, Julian Nagelsmann asked me if it would be okay if I wasn’t in the squad against Wolfsburg. He wanted to reward young players who will be with Bayern next season and let them go first,” Süle told Sport Bild. The 26-year-old joins Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer next season.

“So it was a decision of the coaching team, who didn’t want me in the squad for understandable reasons,” said Süle. “On Friday, when Marcel Sabitzer was injured, one of our assistant trainers said shortly before departure that I could come along if I wanted to. But it’s okay if not. That was the story.”

Bayern Honorary President Uli Hoeneß had harshly criticized the absence of the central defender. “That doesn’t exactly speak for the player. If he talks about appreciation, then I would say he didn’t appreciate the club. I found this action catastrophic,” said the 70-year-old on the sidelines of the Munich championship celebrations on Sunday.

Despite the impending farewell to top striker Erling Haaland, Süle is convinced that Dortmund have a chance of winning the championship next season. “Those responsible showed me that next season we will have a squad with which it is absolutely possible to become German champions,” he said. “Otherwise I wouldn’t have done it.”

© dpa-infocom, dpa:220518-99-334266/2