Karl's agent Ballack hits back at Bayern chiefs with strong defence of teenager
| Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images |
Amid a rather difficult spell since returning from injury, Lennart Karl has recently faced criticism from Bayern chiefs Max Eberl and Uli Hoeneß over his performances and behaviour off the pitch, with the latter suggesting that the 18-year-old needs to show more humility.
Speaking ahead of Saturday night's clash between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, former Germany international Michael Ballack came to the youngster's defence in his role as a DAZN pundit.
Ballack, who also serves as Karl's agent, made it clear that he considers the criticism of his client too harsh, pointing to his young age.
“Lennart is 18 years old. Where were you when you were 18? Just as he is finding his feet on the pitch, he is also trying things out off it. Social media is a major factor today, not just for the younger generation. Everyone is entitled to present themselves however they want," Ballack said.
“Of course, that does not mean getting everything right. Criticism is unfortunately inevitable. But you should not mix that up with his development as a footballer. And that is exactly what Bayern Munich are doing.”
Following Bayern's 6-1 win over 1. FC Magdeburg, Eberl said that Karl “needs to show on the pitch that he can get himself out of this slump” – comments Ballack found difficult to understand.
“For Max Eberl to now claim that Lennart is going through a dip in form, accompanied by references to missteps, just as his performances are clearly improving again, is difficult to understand in terms of timing and certainly questionable in terms of content,” he said.
According to Ballack, the fact that Karl managed to break through at Bayern at just 17 shows that he possesses not only considerable talent but also strong character.
“Lennart's development as a footballer has been outstanding over the past year. To establish himself at Bayern Munich at the age of 17 speaks not only to his exceptional footballing ability but, above all – and that is far more important at a top club like this – to his character. Lennart Karl has character. It is to be expected that this will rub some people up the wrong way once or twice during his career. I hope Lennart doesn't allow himself to be completely changed before he even turns 20. He has my full support," he said.
Karl eventually came on in the 84th minute of Saturday's 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund, replacing Michael Olise after the Frenchman picked up an injury.
