Bayern Munich are furious at the timing of Germany boss Jogi Loew’s decision to end the international careers of three stars on Tuesday.
Loew and Germany general manager Oliver Bierhoff were in Munich where they informed, Mats Hummels and Thomas Muller that they were no longer part of the national team’s plans.
The World Cup winning-trio were all informed that they will be replaced as Loew looks to reinvigorate Die Mannschaft after the country’s worst World Cup performance in 80 years.
But Bayern are unhappy with the decision to tell the 246-cap trio now, three months after Germany’s last game, in what the club say was a ‘surprise visit’ to the training ground
In a statement making clear their annoyance, the Bavarians declared: “National coach Joachim Low has decided not to consider our players Thomas Muller, Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng in the future.
“Basically, we do not comment on sporting decisions of the national coach, the nomination of the squad of the national team is solely the responsibility of Joachim Low.
“However, we believe the timing and circumstances of the announcement of this decision to the players and to the public is questionable. The last international match of the German national team took place on 19 November 2018.
“The fact that the players and the public were informed three months later, just ahead of important matches for FC Bayern next Saturday in the fight for the Bundesliga title against VfL Wolfsburg and a few days before the decisive second leg in the round of 16 of the Champions League next Wednesday against Liverpool , irritates us.
Loew said on Tuesday: “It was important for me that I could personally tell the players and the bosses at Bayern about my thoughts and plans.”
And the Germany boss also thanked the Bayern threesome for “many successful and outstanding years together”.
Bayern face Liverpool next week in the Champions League last 16.