Reds target Gotze warned about Bayern role
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has hinted that Liverpool target Mario Gotze will have to settle for a place on the bench after the forward seemingly decided to stay with the club.
The 23-year-old was a £20m target for Jurgen Klopp this summer, but Gotze appeared to commit his future to the Bundesliga champions on Monday, saying he wanted to prove himself to new manager Carlo Ancelotti.
But in an interview with Kicker magazine, Rummenigge hinted that Gotze would once again find himself fighting for a place in the starting line-up. Gotze has found it difficult to break into the first XI since moving to Munich from Dortmund in 2013.
“I had talks with him (Mario) and Ancelotti. Mario knows the thoughts of Bayern,” Rummenigge said.
“Everything was clearly and seriously explained to Mario.
“He knows what the club thinks and what the new coach thinks. Mario has to evaluate for himself whether he wants to play constantly.”
Liverpool had hoped to persuade Gotze to swap the Allianz for Anfield this summer, but Germany manager Joachim Low revealed at a press conference on Wednesday that a ‘long talk’ with Ancelotti, who replaces Pep Guardiola at Bayern, convinced Gotze to stay put.
“I’ve been in constant contact with Mario and he’s kept me informed all the time,” Low said.
“He’s had a long talk with Ancelotti and I think a few falsities were said about that, but a coach can never give a guarantee and he told Mario that everybody starts from scratch from the start of the season under him.
“Mario has had offers, but I always felt he is in Munich with his heart and he wants to prove himself there.
“He told me he wants to stay in Munich and take his chance with the new coach and I think that’s a fine decision because it’s what his feeling tells him to do, so it’s the right decision for him.”
Source: Liverpool Echo
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