Rummenigge reveals Tuchel wanted Bayern to sell Goretzka | OneFootball

After being deemed surplus to requirements last summer, Leon Goretzka remained at Bayern Munich and has battled his way back into the starting XI - and the German national team.

The 30-year-old was already a candidate for sale in the summer of 2023 - but according to Bayern supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, it was former coach Thomas Tuchel who wanted the midfielder gone at the time.

“I would like to make it clear that in 2023, during the summer transfer market, it was not a club official, but the coach at the time who no longer wanted to see him at Bayern Munich,” Rummenigge told reporters at the 'Infinity League' football event.

"And accordingly, I think no official has ever said anything negative about Leon. It was difficult enough with Thomas, and it's twice as difficult when it's in the media all the time.

“But I think it's great that Leon has catapulted himself back into the limelight. I'm delighted because I think he deserves it. I think he's been incredibly serious and intelligent.”

After scoring the winner in Germany's 2-1 UEFA Nations League quarter-final first-leg win over Italy, Leon Goretzka is expected to retain his starting spot for Sunday night's return leg.