Hoeneß notes that injured Richards is headed back to Bayern
At a Thursday presser, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim trainer Sebastian Hoeneß confirmed that defender Chris Richards would be unavailable for the squad's final match against Hertha BSC on Saturday.
Hoeneß also implied that the young American center-back would return to Champions FC Bayern München at the conclusion of his loan deal.
Chris Richard's final match for die Kraichgauer, a solid performance in a round 31 draw against Freiburg, may very well likely have already been played. The 21-year-old has missed the last two fixtures with lingering thigh problems and it looks as if talks to permanently sign him have fallen through.
Hoeneß also implied that the young American center-back would return to Champions FC Bayern München at the conclusion of his loan deal.
At his Thursday pre-match press conference, TSG head-coach Sebastian Hoeneß confirmed that the club's plans were allowed to let Richards' loan deal expire on June 30th. While there could theoretically still be a deal afterward, Hoeneß insinuated that the matter is closed pending further review in July.
"He fulfilled exactly the need we were looking for," Richards' former FC Bayern II trainer noted with a tone of finality, "We knew what he could do. Now he heads back to Bayern."
In terms of his prospects at his parent club, the incoming Dayot Upamecano and Omar Richards (in addition to Niklas Süle) likely retain the edge over Richards in terms of the center-back position. Richards can also play at right-back, a position new trainer Julian Nagelsmann will want extra options for.