Hoeneß plans serious talk with Bayern's Lennart Karl, says youngster needs humility

Hoeneß warns Karl to keep feet on ground

Bayern Munich youngster Lennart Karl has come under criticism from the club's honorary president Uli Hoeneß, who believes the 18-year-old needs to keep his feet on the ground following his breakthrough campaign last season.

Speaking in an interview with Welt am Sonntag, Hoeneß revealed that he plans to have a serious conversation with the teenager, insisting he still has a long way to go before earning superstar status.

“I plan to have a serious word with him. He is a long way from being a superstar. Young players need humility,” Hoeneß fumed.

The honorary president added that comparisons with Michael Olise are doing Karl no favours.

“Comparisons with [Michael] Olise are clearly not doing him any good. There is still a world of difference between them.”

Social media scrutiny

Hoeneß’s comments follow a Bild report suggesting that Bayern’s hierarchy are unhappy with Karl’s social media activity, believing the teenager shares too much of his “glamorous lifestyle and private life with his influencer girlfriend, Zoe Käppele”.

Kompany backs the youngster

FC Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany recently publicly backed Karl to return to his best amid his dip in form.

“The rhythm and performances will come. He’s not performing at the level he had last season, but that’s also okay. He knows that it happens, he knows we’re patient with him. At some point his moment will come and he will show us the Lennart Karl that we all know.”

“He’s still young, he had a few injuries. It will come, I’m not worried.”