Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae dreams of a revival with the new coach.
Munich, Germany’s prestigious Bundesliga, will play two 2024 Coupang Play Series games against Tottenham Hotspur (England) at Seoul World Cup Stadium at 8 p.m. on the 3rd.
Founded in 1900, this is Munich’s first visit to Korea. Although it lost the top position to Leverkusen last season, it recorded 11 consecutive league wins from 2012-13 to 2022-23. Besides, it boasts a splendid career of winning 33 Bundesliga titles, six UEFA Champions League titles, and 20 Pokal Cups.
Kim Min-jae, who attended the official press conference on the 2nd, a day before the game, said, “It’s my first time to spend the pre-season in Korea, so I’m looking forward to it,” adding, “We’re doing the pre-season together, but I want to explain Korean culture well. If I tell you what I want to eat again, I recommend restaurants and other places.”
Kim entered Munich with dignity ahead of the 2023-24 season. He led Serie A team Napoli to the title for the first time in 33 years in the previous season and even received the league’s best defense award. He displayed good early momentum at Munich. He garnered great trust from Coach Thomas Tuchel to the extent that he even raised controversies over his abuse.
However, cracks began to form in the wall as the halfway point went around. Kim Min-jae’s aggressive defense style was not compatible with Tuchel. In addition, the whole of Munich was shaken, revealing the weaknesses of Kim Min-jae’s play. He ended the disappointing first season by giving up the starting position at the last minute.
Kim Min-jae also said in an interview with local media in May, “What I thought was an advantage here was not always necessary,” and revealed the difficulties he experienced during the season.
Now Kim Min-jae will start over with the new head coach. Munich coach Bang Sang was one of the best central defenders in the world when he was active. Notably, he played 360 games for Manchester City for 11 years, winning four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and four League Cups. As a member of the golden generation of the Belgium national team, he played 89 A matches including the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Since he is in the same position as Kim Min-jae, we can expect more teaching and help. Kim Min-jae also said, “The time we spent together is not long, but we are so famous that we listen to what you say and try to build on it.” He also shook his head and dismissed the rumor of the transfer, saying, “I just want to settle down here and show a good performance.” 안전놀이터
Fortunately, he pursues a similar style to Kim Min-jae. “Kongfani wants an active defense style,” Kim said, expressing satisfaction, saying, “I often tell them to be active and play one-on-one defense. I think we have a good style.”
Kongpani, who was reticent about Tuchel’s evaluation of Kim Min-jae last season, predicted that all competitions would start from the ground up. “It doesn’t matter which player performs and produces results, it’s important how he prepares for the season,” he said. “I’m also continuously working and preparing for the season, and players try to change the disappointment of last season through training,” he said.
“The performance of the season varies depending on how I do it in the pre-season,” Kim Min-jae said. “It is important to show well on the field in harmony with the new coach, tactics, and players.”