Paul Wanner ‘Blessed by God’: The Bayern Munich Wonderkid Backed to Surpass Wirtz and Musiala

Former Bayern Coach Raves About Paul Wanner’s Talent and Urges the Teenager to Fulfil His Massive Potential

In the world of football, it’s not uncommon for young players to be compared to their more established peers. But when a respected figure who has spent more than two decades working behind the scenes at one of the biggest clubs in the world makes a bold declaration, people sit up and take notice.

That’s exactly what happened when Hermann Gerland, the long-time former assistant coach at Bayern Munich and current assistant with Germany’s Under-21 national team, spoke about Paul Wanner. The 19-year-old midfielder, who spent the 2023–24 season on loan at Heidenheim, has been described as “blessed by God” and potentially more talented than even Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala—two of the most electrifying young talents in world football.

The Background: Who Is Paul Wanner?

Is Wanner Really Better Than Wirtz and Musiala?

Born in Dornbirn, Austria, Paul Wanner has long been seen as one of Bayern Munich’s most exciting academy graduates. A left-footed midfielder who can also operate on the wing, Wanner made his Bundesliga debut for Bayern at the age of just 16, becoming the youngest-ever player to feature for the club in a league match. That appearance came back in January 2022, during a COVID-affected fixture list that saw Julian Nagelsmann turn to youth.

But while Wanner’s debut generated buzz, his progress in the senior team stalled. He’s made only eight appearances for Bayern to date, the last of which came in February 2023. In a bid to gain experience, he was loaned out to newly promoted Bundesliga side Heidenheim, where he enjoyed a solid if unspectacular season.

However, it’s what Wanner does in training and behind closed doors that continues to generate hype—and none more so than from Gerland.

Gerland’s Verdict: “More Talent Than Anyone Else on the Planet”

In a recent interview with Bild, Gerland didn’t hold back when discussing Wanner’s potential. Now 71, Gerland has helped shape the careers of countless stars during his time at Bayern, including the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, and Thomas Müller. So when he says a player might be more talented than anyone else on the planet, it carries serious weight.

“Let me tell you this,” Gerland said. “If I had had the talent Paul has back then, I would have played about 100 games for Bayern Munich by the age of 19.”

He shared an anecdote to illustrate the point. During one match, Gerland pulled Wanner aside to challenge him on a youth game he played against Heidenheim, where the youngster had failed to live up to expectations.

“‘Listen, kid,’ I told him. ‘You have to decide this game! With your skills, you should be asking Heidenheim: how many goals should I score—three, four, five?’”

Thomas Müller, always one to offer a softer approach, overheard the conversation and told Gerland to go easy. But Gerland stood firm: Wanner needed to hear the hard truths if he was going to make the leap from prodigy to superstar.

“The skills Paul has are incredible,” Gerland continued. “In training, he puts the ball in the net four times with his left foot and then five times with his right. He’s been blessed by God with more talent than almost anyone else on this planet. Maybe Wirtz and Musiala—it’s entirely up to him. Paul has to keep pushing.”

Bayern, Germany, and the Path Forward

Paul Wanner’

Despite his relatively low profile in the Bayern first team, Wanner remains very much in the club’s long-term plans. He is under contract in Munich until 2027 and has shown signs of maturity during his loan spell. The challenge now is how to carve out regular minutes in a midfield already stacked with talent.

His international future also presents an intriguing subplot. Born in Austria but raised in Germany, Wanner has dual eligibility. Though he currently represents Germany at youth level, he remains eligible to switch to Austria—a possibility that has been quietly discussed behind the scenes.

For now, Wanner has three caps and one goal with Germany’s U21s and is part of the squad for this summer’s UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He chose to play in that tournament instead of joining Bayern’s senior squad for their Club World Cup campaign—a move that signalled his focus on development over prestige.

Germany face Slovenia next, and Wanner is expected to feature. It’s a platform for him to show not just flashes of brilliance, but the consistency and leadership that Gerland believes is still missing from his game.

Is Wanner Really Better Than Wirtz and Musiala?

It’s a provocative question. Florian Wirtz, 21, just guided Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title and has been snapped up by Liverpool in a deal set to go through in 2026. Jamal Musiala, meanwhile, is already a star at Bayern and a fixture in the German senior team. Both are widely regarded as future Ballon d’Or contenders.

Wanner, by contrast, is still finding his feet.

But Gerland’s comments don’t come from thin air. Wanner’s technical ability, vision, and two-footedness are exceptional—even by elite standards. What’s unclear is whether he has the mentality and drive to translate that natural gift into a truly elite career.

“Everyone is the architect of their own fortune,” Gerland said. “And Paul has everything it takes. But he has to want it.”

Final Thoughts: Talent Is Only Half the Battle

In a footballing world obsessed with hype, comparisons, and quick fixes, Paul Wanner’s story is a reminder that not every star arrives fully formed. At 19, he has time on his side, but the clock is ticking for him to turn potential into impact.

Whether or not he eclipses Wirtz or Musiala is almost secondary. What matters now is that he takes responsibility for his journey, pushes himself in every training session, and seizes the opportunities that come his way.

Because as Gerland says—he’s been blessed by God. Now it’s time to show the world why.