Bayern Munich Have Lost Their Appeal! Why Bundesliga Champions Missed Out on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool Explained by Club Legend Oliver Kahn

Bayern Munich Miss Out as Florian Wirtz Joins Liverpool for Record Fee

In a summer filled with transfer drama, the saga surrounding Florian Wirtz has finally reached a conclusion — but not the one Bayern Munich were hoping for. The Bayer Leverkusen playmaker has opted for a move to the Premier League, signing with Liverpool in a blockbuster deal reportedly worth £116 million (€135m/$157m). The decision has left many wondering: how did Germany’s most dominant club lose out on one of its brightest homegrown stars?

One man well-placed to answer that question is Oliver Kahn. The legendary Bayern Munich goalkeeper and former executive has weighed in on the situation, offering insight into the shifting dynamics of football transfers and what Bayern’s failure to sign Florian Wirtz means for the Bundesliga.

What Happened?

Florian Wirtz, long seen as the crown jewel of German football’s next generation, was widely expected to join Bayern Munich — a traditional next step for top Bundesliga talent. But in a move that shocked many, Florian Wirtz snubbed the reigning Bundesliga champions and instead made the leap to England.

Reports indicate that Florian Wirtz was swayed by a personal call with Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, whose vision for the team resonated with the 22-year-old. Florian Wirtz’s father and representative, Hans-Joachim, later confirmed that the detailed conversation with Slot played a critical role in the final decision.

The Bigger Picture: Liverpool’s Pull and Bayern’s Limitations

Arne Slot Florian Wirtz

Beyond personal persuasion, money also played a decisive role. Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl admitted that the Bavarians were unable to compete financially with Liverpool. While Bayern remains a financial powerhouse by Bundesliga standards, the Premier League continues to outmuscle its continental counterparts when it comes to wage offers and transfer budgets.

Liverpool’s long-term project, coupled with the league’s global reach, appears to have sealed the deal for Florian Wirtz. The English club not only offered the largest transfer fee in British history, but also provided a platform for Florian Wirtz to showcase his talents on a truly global stage.

What Oliver Kahn Said

Oliver Kahn spoke candidly to Sky Sport Germany about the failed transfer, making it clear that the issue extends beyond just one club. “I don’t know if you should break it down to the club issue,” Kahn said. “I think you should first break it down to the league issue.”

He continued: “If I’m a player, the Premier League is the most attractive league. Sportingly, economically, and media-wise. It has completely different marketing opportunities, even globally.”

Kahn’s remarks reflect a growing sentiment that the Bundesliga, despite Bayern’s dominance, may be losing its appeal to top talent. “If you think about it,” he added, “you go to Bayern and become German champions for the 15th, 16th, 17th time — is that really so appealing?”

While winning the Champions League remains a major motivation, Kahn noted that players today think differently than in his playing days. “For me, there was only one club: Bayern Munich,” he said. “But now, players analyze everything — teams, systems, coaches — before making a move. The final decision might still come down to a gut feeling, but it’s a heavily calculated one.”

Kahn on Bayern’s Current Challenges

Kahn didn’t shy away from pointing fingers at Bayern’s internal issues, either. He acknowledged that the club has undergone frequent managerial changes in recent years, leading to a lack of continuity. “With every coaching change, philosophies and ideas shift, and the squad gets reshuffled,” he said.

“That kind of constant turnover naturally creates unrest. During my time [as an executive], I wish I had done more to ensure continuity. That’s something players — and even coaches — think about very carefully.”

He also pointed out that Bayern’s consistent domestic success might ironically be part of the problem. “Winning the Bundesliga 12 times in 13 years — is that still motivating? For some players, probably not.”

Did You Know?

With his move to Liverpool, Florian Wirtz becomes one of the most expensive players in Premier League history. He also breaks the mold of German players opting to stay within the Bundesliga system or making more traditional moves to clubs like Bayern, Dortmund, or abroad to Spain or Italy.

Wirtz’s transfer follows a broader trend of top European talent moving to the Premier League at earlier stages in their careers, drawn by superior wages, higher visibility, and more competitive league play.

What’s Next for Florian Wirtz?

Florian Wirtz

Wirtz has already made his unofficial debut in red, playing in a pre-season thrashing of Stoke City. Early signs are promising, with fans and pundits alike praising his fluidity, vision, and composure on the ball.

Liverpool is expected to feature Florian Wirtz prominently in their next friendly against AC Milan on July 26, and all eyes will be on how he adapts to the Premier League’s pace and physicality. With the 2025-26 campaign fast approaching, Florian Wirtz has a chance to cement himself not just as Liverpool’s newest star, but as one of the world’s elite midfielders.

What Next for Bayern Munich?

For Bayern, missing out on Florian Wirtz is more than a one-off setback — it’s a symptom of a wider issue. The club must now consider how to maintain its status as a European powerhouse when even the best homegrown talents are choosing to go elsewhere.

Whether through internal restructuring, greater financial investment, or strategic marketing, Bayern — and perhaps the Bundesliga as a whole — will need to evolve to retain its best and brightest.

One thing is certain: the days of Bayern’s unquestioned pull on German stars may be over. And Oliver Kahn, a man who once embodied that very pull, has given us an honest window into why.