Ballack chides Bayern bosses for criticism of teenager Karl

Former Bayern Munich star Michael Ballack, who is now the agent of Lennart Karl, believes the club’s hierarchy has been too harsh on his teenage client.

Honorary president Uli Hoeness said the 18-year-old needed to show a bit more “humility” after struggling so far this term after breaking into the Bayern and Germany set-up last season.

His relationship with a model and social media influencer has raised eyebrows at German double winners.

“Everyone can present themselves however they want. It is also clear that not everyone gets everything right,” Ballack told streaming service DAZN on Saturday.

“But you must not mix that up with his sporting development. And that is exactly what Bayern are doing.”

Ballack also found statements by Bayern head of sport Max Eberl puzzling.

“Lennart’s performances are clearly on an upward curve again but Max Eberl is attesting to a sporting slump,” he said. “It is incomprehensible in terms of timing and at least questionable in content.”

Extrovert Karl is active on social media but Ballack, who had run-ins with bosses when he was a player, does not see the problem.

“Lennart is 18 years old. Where were you at 18? As he tries things out on the pitch, he does the same off it,” he remarked.

“It’s to be expected that he will probably clash with people once or twice more in his career.”