Owen Hargreaves hails Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller as one of the greats of his generation

The 35-year-old icon has spent his entire career at Bayern, winning 12 Bundesliga titles, six DFB Pokals, and two UEFA Champions Leagues across 13 years with the first team.

Muller's announcement marks the end of an era at Bayern Munich, as the 'Raumdeuter' (space interpreter) prepares to embark on a new chapter after 743 appearances and 247 goals for the club. However, this season, Muller has largely found himself on the bench under manager Vincent Kompany, as Bayern's new manager has favored younger players and tactical flexibility. Despite his reduced playing time, Muller remains one of the most decorated players in Bayern's history, including winning the 2014 World Cup with Germany.

Hargreaves, who also spent time at Bayern, praised Muller for his "incredible career," noting that his value goes beyond just his on-field achievements. "Despite everything he's won, he's probably most known for his personality," Hargreaves said during a TNT Sports broadcast. "He's one of the best interviewees in professional sports. He's funny, he's raw, and he always tells it like it is. He's had an incredible career for an academy player, not someone who was bought for £100 million."

Hargreaves continued to highlight Muller's unique playing style, adding, "When you look at him play, you think, 'Surely this shouldn't work,' but he's one of the smartest, most effective players of the last 10 to 15 years. His intelligence on the pitch has made him a standout player, even though his style might not always seem conventional."

Former Chelsea star Joe Cole also joined in the praise, calling Muller a "stunning player." However, Cole also commended Kompany for sticking to his principles and not giving in to sentimentality. "It's very rare that you get the fairytale finish to your career," Cole remarked. "What a stunning player he is. The temptation would have been there for Kompany to throw him in, but it shows he's got something about him. By not playing Muller, he's shown he's committed to his team and his system."

Hargreaves acknowledged that Muller hasn't had the game time he would have liked this season, but still praised the veteran for his professionalism and ability to influence matches, even from the bench. "He's barely played this season, but he's a player who can still impact games off the bench. He's very healthy and in great condition," Hargreaves said.

Muller's departure marks the end of a golden era for both Bayern Munich and German football. As he prepares for his next move, the midfielder leaves behind a legacy as one of the smartest, most effective players of his generation - one who redefined the role of the attacking midfielder with his intelligence, vision, and work ethic. 

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