Lukas Podolski joins the growing number of high-profile names to speak out on Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho’s treatment of Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Bastian Schweinsteiger cries in his final match for Germany
Former Arsenal and German International, Lukas Podolski, is the latest to show his outrage at the treatment of former team-mate, Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Long regarded as one of the best midfielders in the modern game, Schweinsteiger finds himself on the periphery of the Manchester United squad, with Jose Mourinho consigning the ex-Germany captain to train with the u21 squad.
Podolski, now plying his trade for Turkish side Galatasaray, told German publication Bild that Mourinho’s treatment of the World Cup winner is “ignoble.”
“I don’t know what Mourinho discussed with him. But it’s clear — it’s not correct to demote Bastian to the reserves. A coach has to keep the door open for every player, even more so for a player like Schweini.”
Podolski plying his trade for Galatasaray
Podolski has not been the only one to race to Schweini’s defence, with Bayern Munich President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge warning Sky Sports News earlier this year that Manchester United’s handling of the player may dissuade others from joining in the future.
Rummenigge stated “I could hardly believe it. One or two players are going to think long and hard in future about whether they want to go to such a club… Nothing like that has ever happened at Bayern Munich.”
Bayern Munich President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge celebrating at the German Cup DFB Pokal victory parade
Schweinsteiger spent his whole senior career at Bayern Munich before joining former manager Louis Van Gaal at Old Trafford.
During his time in Germany, Schweinsteiger won a staggering eight Bundesliga medals, to go alongside a Champions League title and seven German cups.
Ottmar Hitzfeld, the man who gave Schweinsteiger his professional debut 13 years ago, also criticised United’s treatment of his former player, telling Sky Sports “It’s a lack of respect for a worthy player… It’s a method which is strange to me.”
“Schweinsteiger is a key player, a world champion, a personality, while at the same time he has an exceptional attitude.
It looks increasingly likely that Schweinsteiger will leave Manchester once the right opportunity presents itself, with Podolski hoping he can one day reunite with his former team-mate in the MLS.
Podolski stated “I think America’s great… Stays abroad are good for personality development, and they’d also be good for our kids. Sure, it would be possible to play in the States with Schweini.”
Schweinsteiger celebrating with former Bayern Munich team-mates, Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer
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