Overview
- Uli Hoeneß publicly criticised 18-year-old Lennart Karl for his public profile and called for more humility, triggering a public exchange between club figures and Karl’s camp.
- Bayern sport director Christoph Freund publicly backed Karl and, according to WELT, held an internal meeting with the player’s representatives to clarify the club’s support.
- Karl answered critics with goals in Bayern’s 2-0 Champions League win at Atlético Madrid and the 2-1 Bundesliga victory at Mainz, shifting attention back to his form.
- Michael Ballack spoke as Karl’s adviser to defend him and former Bayern youth coach Holger Seitz also voiced support, while club officials sought to limit further public escalation.
- Both sides intend to set the dispute aside and focus on Karl’s progress as he joins the German national team and the club manages how young players are publicly discussed.