Thomas Müller joining the Vancouver Whitecaps is a win for MLS and the Canadian club but not everyone is celebrating it. Müller is a club legend at Bayern and he’s earned the right to choose where he goes next. “I’m not sure Bayern, his old club, are entirely thrilled,” Rae said on ESPN FC.
Bayern Munich Didn't Want Thomas Muller To Join Vancouver Whitecaps originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Thomas Müller joining the Vancouver Whitecaps is a win for MLS and the Canadian club but not everyone is celebrating it. Specifically not Bayern Munich.
According to ESPN’s Derek Rae, Bayern Munich wasn’t happy with the decision. Why? Because they wanted him to go somewhere else entirely.
At first glance that might seem strange. Müller is a club legend at Bayern and he’s earned the right to choose where he goes next. But this is about business and planning.
“I’m not sure Bayern, his old club, are entirely thrilled,” Rae said on ESPN FC. “They wanted him to go to LAFC, with whom they have a partnership.”
Indeed, Bayern has an official partnership with LAFC, one of the biggest clubs in Major League Soccer. The idea is to work together on scouting, development and building both clubs’ global presence. From Bayern’s point of view having Müller join LAFC would have helped that partnership shine.
Instead, Müller chose Vancouver. A solid club with no direct link to Bayern. No shared projects, no joint branding. Just a team that made a strong pitch and offered a fresh start. That likely threw off the plan Bayern had in mind.
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Why did Thomas Müller Choose Vancouver?
According to multiple reports Müller turned down LAFC and is set to join Vancouver after the Whitecaps buy his discovery rights from FC Cincinn
ati for around $400,000 in allocation money.
It’s one of the biggest signings in club history, maybe even the league this season. And it’s happening because Müller decided what he wanted, not what Bayern hoped for.
Derek Rae has commented about this choice saying “It’s a bit of a lifestyle move for him. I think he wanted to try something else.”
After 17 seasons, 33 major trophies and more than 750 games with Bayern Müller didn’t owe anyone anything and chose a move that felt right to him, whether or not it lined up with Bayern’s strategy.
Derek Rae’s comment reveals a little bit. Even when players leave on good terms clubs still have an idea of what should happen next. Müller’s move didn’t follow Bayern’s plan. But Vancouver gets a legend. LAFC misses out. And MLS gets a new, fresh storyline.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
