Matthäus Urges Bayern Munich to Keep Harry Kane for as Long as He Wants
Legendary Germany midfielder Lothar Matthäus believes Bayern Munich should give Harry Kane the freedom to decide how long he wants to remain at the club. The former World Cup winner has backed the prolific striker amid reports that the two sides are discussing a new contract, arguing that Kane’s influence extends well beyond his goals.
Speaking at an RTL Germany media event, Matthäus said he would offer the England captain a deal lasting until retirement if he were responsible for Bayern’s negotiations. His comments come as reports suggest Kane has agreed to key terms on an extension, with a contract potentially running until 2029 under consideration.
That kind of long-term commitment would take Kane into his mid-30s, a factor Bayern are understood to be weighing carefully. Matthäus acknowledged the club’s concerns but proposed a compromise that could protect both parties: a two-year extension with an additional season triggered by appearances.
“Harry Kane should sign for as long as he wants,” Matthäus said, describing the striker as a gentleman and an exceptional player. He suggested that a carefully structured agreement could avoid turning the negotiations into a test of strength between the club and its leading goalscorer.
A flexible contract could suit Bayern and Kane
For Bayern, an appearance-based option would offer some reassurance about Kane’s fitness and availability as he gets older. For the player, it would provide a clear route to staying in Munich if he continues to perform at a high level. Such clauses are increasingly useful in modern football, where clubs must balance loyalty to star players with long-term planning and financial responsibility.
Kane’s value to Bayern is not measured by goals alone. Since arriving from Tottenham Hotspur, he has become a central figure in the team’s attack, combining elite finishing with intelligent movement, link-up play and the ability to create opportunities for teammates. His willingness to drop deeper or move into different areas can also give Bayern’s other forwards more room to attack.
Matthäus believes that freedom is a major part of Kane’s effectiveness. The striker, he said, is allowed to appear across the pitch rather than being restricted to a fixed position. That unpredictability makes him difficult for defenders to track and helps Bayern vary their attacking approach.
“You shouldn’t take those freedoms away from him,” Matthäus argued, warning that limiting Kane’s movement could weaken both the player and the team. In his view, Bayern should build around the qualities that make the striker special instead of trying to fit him into a narrower role.
Matthäus questions criticism of Kane’s role
Matthäus’s remarks also touched on recent discussion about Kane’s positioning, including comments from Jürgen Klopp. The former Bayern captain responded with a light-hearted suggestion that Germany’s head coach should watch a few more matches, reinforcing his view that Kane’s roaming style is a deliberate strength rather than a tactical problem.
The debate reflects a broader question in football: should a centre-forward remain close to the penalty area, or should he move into midfield to help build attacks? Kane’s game challenges that traditional distinction. He can operate as a finisher, a passer and a focal point, often switching between those roles during a single match.
That versatility may also help explain why Bayern would be reluctant to lose him. Replacing a striker who contributes both goals and creative play is difficult, even for a club with the resources and recruitment network of the German champions. A new contract would therefore be about preserving a key part of the team’s structure, not simply rewarding past performances.
Why German players missed out on the world’s top rankings
Matthäus also offered his view on the absence of German players from the top 10 of the latest world footballer rankings. He described the outcome as a reflection of the national team’s results, particularly its early exit from the World Cup and the performances that preceded it.
In Matthäus’s assessment, individual recognition is closely connected to success on the international stage. If a national team is eliminated early, struggles to dominate qualifying opponents and lacks standout performances, its players may find it harder to compete for the sport’s biggest individual honours. He also noted that foreign stars often occupy the leading roles at major clubs, further limiting the visibility of German candidates.
Matthäus believes Joshua Kimmich could have earned a place among the leading names, but argued that the midfielder was not used in the position where he might have had the greatest impact at the World Cup. He also praised Florian Wirtz, while acknowledging that the young playmaker still has areas to improve.
Jamal Musiala, another player Matthäus admires, has faced repeated injury interruptions over the past year and a half. Felix Nmecha, meanwhile, has the ability to reach a high level but, in Matthäus’s view, has not displayed it consistently enough. Those different circumstances help explain why German players were missing from the top tier of the rankings.
Michael Olise could be a future Bayern star
While Kane remains central to Bayern’s plans, Matthäus also pointed to Michael Olise as a player with the potential to become a major figure at the club. The French attacker, he said, has a distinctive quality that can make him stand out in high-pressure moments.
Matthäus singled out Olise’s Panenka-style penalty in the cup match against Magdeburg as an example. The audacious finish could be viewed as provocative, but Matthäus saw it as the kind of moment that inspires young supporters. For a child watching from the stands or at home, a confident, unconventional penalty can make football feel exciting and encourage them to try something similar.
Olise’s creativity gives Bayern another attacking dimension, but his emergence does not necessarily mean Kane is nearing the end of his role. The two players offer different strengths: Kane brings experience, finishing and playmaking, while Olise adds flair, direct running and individual invention. Together, they could form part of a productive partnership rather than competing for the same place in the team.
Prediction: Bayern are likely to seek a balanced Kane deal
The most realistic prediction is that Bayern will aim for a contract that rewards Kane’s importance while limiting the club’s exposure to risk later in his career. A two-year extension with an appearance-based option, as Matthäus suggested, would offer a practical middle ground if both sides are willing to compromise.
Ultimately, Bayern’s decision will depend on Kane’s fitness, his continued output and the club’s plans for the next generation of attackers. But Matthäus’s message is clear: Kane’s movement, intelligence and leadership are central to Bayern’s quality, and the club should preserve those strengths for as long as the striker wants to play in Munich.
