Florian Wirtz' father and agent, Hans-Joachim Wirtz, said that he feels a bit sorry for Bayern Munich, and especially their honorary president Uli Hoeness, after they were rejected by his son. Wirtz was a top candidate at Bayern, but the Germany international decided to leave Bayer Leverkusen to join Liverpool.
Florian Wirtz' father and agent, Hans-Joachim Wirtz, said that he feels a bit sorry for Bayern Munich, and especially their honorary president Uli Hoeness, after they were rejected by his son.
Wirtz was a top candidate at Bayern, but the Germany international decided to leave Bayer Leverkusen to join Liverpool.
Bayern supervisory board members Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had made an "incredible" effort to sign his son, Hans-Joachim Wirtz told Der Spiegel magazine.
He also recalled that Hoeness quickly arranged a surgery date in Innsbruck following his son's cruciate ligament rupture in 2022.
"We are still grateful to him for that," he said. "I found the final phone call with Uli Hoeness very difficult."
In the end, "nuances" made him decided in favour of Liverpool and there were "no major differences" in terms of salary.
He said the decisive factor for the transfer to Liverpool was a personal conversation with Reds coach Arne Slot.
"Arne Slot was able to convince Florian personally. He's also a very pleasant person," Hans-Joachim Wirtz said.
"Arne Slot presented his playing philosophy, the team tactics in possession and pressing and how Florian can develop his strengths in these areas. That made a big impression on Florian."
In addition, it was the right time for a move abroad for his 22-year-old son.
"With a family, you're not as independent later on," Hans-Joachim Wirtz said.
Category: General Sports
