Boateng cancels his planned internship with Bayern due to fan criticism

The 2014 World Cup winner was found guilty of assaulting a former girlfriend last year, and supporters protested, so retired defender Jerome Boateng withdrew from a scheduled coaching internship at Bayern Munich on Saturday.

The former Germany and Bayern defender, who was a member of the team from 2011 to 2021, has talked to coach Vincent Kompany about doing a brief internship.

In a social media statement directed at Bayern and Kompany, he stated, “After the recent conversation about myself, I have chosen to concentrate on my problems, like the A training license…. that is where my focus is.”

“Your focus should be solely on the pitch and on extending this 13-match winning run.”

With their 3-0 victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday, Bayern has now won 13 straight games in all competitions this season.

“I am thankful to the club leadership and you, dear Vincent, for giving me trust and the opportunity to be part of that,” stated Boateng.

After the athlete was found guilty of premeditated physical harm against his former partner by a Munich court last year, and given a warning and a suspended fine, Bayern supporters had objected to his scheduled internship.

The online petition “Setting borders against misogynistic violence: Jerome Boateng should not be allowed back to Bayern Munich” has amassed thousands of signatures.

The bodily harm case went to trial for the third time in 2024.

After joining Bayern in 2011 from Manchester City, where he had been Kompany’s teammate, the 37-year-old Boateng played for Germany for 76 games between 2009 and 2018. He spent ten years there. He contributed to Bayern’s two Champions League medals and nine Bundesliga championships.

Boateng retired last month after his contract with Austrian team LASK Linz was mutually ended in August.