MUNICH (AP) – Bayern Munich has announced that former Bayern Germany defender Jerome Boateng will not visit the club to begin his coaching career following a fan outcry over his conviction last year for assaulting his ex-partner.
Bayern manager Vincent Kompany, a former teammate of Boateng’s during his playing days, suggested last month that he would welcome Boateng to spend time at the club as part of his plans to begin his coaching career.
Bayern fans held banners protesting Boateng’s stay at the club. The former defender was given a suspended fine and warning by a Munich court. convicted him Last year, he was charged with causing bodily harm to his ex-partner. Boateng has always denied any wrongdoing.
“As a result of the constructive exchanges that took place between FC Bayern and Jerome Boateng this week, it has been decided that Jerome Boateng will not visit FC Bayern to observe training,” Bayern said in a statement late on Saturday.
“Jerome feels strong ties to FC Bayern and does not want FC Bayern to suffer as a result of the current controversial debate surrounding him.”
Boateng said in a statement to Bayern and Kompany on Instagram on Saturday that he had decided to pursue other interests “following the recent controversy regarding me” and wanted to allow the club to focus on his performance on the field.
Boateng, who won the Champions League twice with Bayern and won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, announced his retirement as a player last month. In August, his contract with Austrian club LASK Linz was terminated by mutual consent, even though there was still a season left.
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