In an interview with Suddeutsche Zeitung (via @iMiaSanMia), Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah confirmed he will not extend his contract at the club.
This past summer saw Tah heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich, with a move on, then off, then back on again until Bayern ultimately decided to not pursue the 28 year old. The move also resulted in a public spat between Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro and Max Eberl of Bayern Munich.
In the interview, the defender first explains why he wished to leave Leverkusen in the summer:
“I’ve been in Leverkusen for nine years, I experienced all the ups and downs here and the highlight was the fantastic last season in which we won almost everything. It couldn’t have been better. And that’s why I thought: If I extend my contract in Leverkusen now, at 28, that means that I will play here until my early to mid-thirties…
A football career is short, and that’s why it has always been my idea to get everything possible out of it. I simply want to exploit the potential that lies in my career. And in the summer I had the feeling that now is the moment to look at something new – right now, after this extremely successful season I did what a player can do: communicate my wishes clearly and openly.
But at that point the player is out of it and then the clubs have to come to an agreement. And sometimes things get a bit wild, there are rumors, speculation and in the end the player suffers. We players are doing great, don’t get me wrong, but in a situation like that you are dependent as a player and no longer have any control There were other offers, not just from FC Bayern.
I like playing in Leverkusen. But I would have liked everything to be as rational as possible and not have so many emotions involved”
Tah then confirms to the newspaper that this will be his last season at the club:
“No, my decision is just as clear as it was before. I will not extend my contract – for the career reasons I mentioned before. I still have a contract until 2025, and until then I will give everything for Leverkusen.”
When pushed if he will join Bayern next summer, Tah then said:
“Good question [laughs]. We’ll see. I’m not really thinking about that yet, I’ve got a season with Bayer Leverkusen ahead of me.”
The 28-year-old will have spent 10 years in Leverkusen by the time his contract expires next summer. Currently he has played 357 games for Die Werkself and has seen them transition from a best-of-the-rest team in Germany to one of the best teams in the country.
His form under head coach Xabi Alonso has also seen him play an even bigger role for the German national team as before he was just a bit part player.
GGFN | Jack Meenan
