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The original was posted on /r/soccer by /u/landofphi on 2025-07-18 11:43:44+00:00.
Original Title: Hans-Joachim Wirtz (Florian’s dad) on rejecting Bayern Munich: “After Florian’s ACL tear in 2022, Uli Hoeness selflessly helped us quickly get an appointment for surgery. We’re still grateful to him. Uli couldn’t hide his disappointment. After all, he had personally worked hard to secure Florian.”
The full quote on rejecting Bayern
The situation with Bayern was difficult because Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge made incredible efforts and also clearly analysed the sporting possibilities. I have the greatest respect for Uli Hoeness and his lifetime achievements.
After Florian’s cruciate ligament tear in 2022, he selflessly helped us quickly get an appointment for the surgery in Innsbruck. We are still grateful to him for that. That’s why the final phone call with Uli Hoeness was very difficult for me.
We had spoken several times beforehand, so he was as objective and fair as I’d ever known him. But of course, he couldn’t hide his disappointment. After all, he had personally worked hard to secure this transfer.
Vincent Kompany had very good thoughts and ideas about how he wanted to integrate Florian into the FC Bayern team. In the end, it was a matter of nuances; the decision ultimately had to do with the different sporting situations and Florian’s role. And financially, there weren’t any major differences between the two clubs anyway. Again, Bayern Munich really tried hard, but a decision had to be made.