The surprised voices about a possible comeback by Jerome Boateng at FC Bayern are increasing. There are considerable doubts about the 35-year-old’s sporting ability, especially in France.

Jerome Boateng has been training with FC Bayern on Säbener Straße since the beginning of this week. The club bosses want to get an idea of ​​the fitness level of the 2014 world champion and are expected to make a decision about a renewed collaboration at the end of this week after a final discussion.

Even if in the past the famous central defender was more noticeable with stories off the pitch than with good performances on the pitch.

Boateng played his last competitive game in the Olympique Lyon jersey on June 3rd and was sorted out at the end of the season. A lack of fitness, unconvincing performances and his turbulent private life became his downfall after two years in France.

The then coach Peter Bosz was really looking forward to Boateng in the summer of 2021: “Peter was sure that Jerome would be a great help to us,” said former sports director Juninho recently on the radio station “RMC Sport”.

Lyon manager brought in Boateng: “It wasn’t a good idea”

But Boateng was never able to meet the high expectations after his move from Munich to Lyon. In two seasons, the defender only made 35 competitive appearances; last season he only played eight times due to injuries and poor form. He was only on the pitch for more than 90 minutes in one game and that was almost exactly a year ago in October 2022.

“In hindsight, you have to admit that it wasn’t a good idea because the player could never live up to our expectations,” admitted Juninho.

The former Brazilian international was even more surprised by the latest developments: “The fact that he is now going to FC Bayern is a huge surprise. He was used less and less last season and has now trained alone for more than four months. “Is that going well in Munich?”

Big doubts about Boateng

The former French national coach Raymond Domenech, who coached the Équipe Tricolore between 2004 and 2010, is also amazed at the impending deal: “It’s unbelievable that Boateng should go to Bayern,” says today’s TV expert from “L’Équipe TV”.

This is an understandable statement, especially because of the current developments in the football world. Although Boateng has now reached an advanced age as an athlete, because of his name he could probably still earn good money abroad for another year or two, far away from the German media landscape.

“One would have expected him to go to the USA or Saudi Arabia, also because he was never able to reach his best level in Lyon,” added Domenech. It’s no wonder that the now 71-year-old doesn’t shy away from criticizing those responsible at Bayern and is rather skeptical: “Bayern Munich is actually known for its high level of professionalism and its great successes. But with such a measure and the return of Boateng, things can only go wrong. Unless the Munich air gives him new wings. “That can justifiably be doubted,” he made clear.