Bayern president slams Manchester United for demoting Bastian Schweinsteiger to reserves…but Germans did same under Felix Magath in 2005
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was fuming at the treatment of the German international but same thing happened at Bayern
BAYERN MUNICH's president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has slammed Manchester United's treatment of Bastian Schweinsteiger - despite the German side demoting him to their reserves in 2005.
The midfielder, 32, has been exiled to United's second string by new boss Jose Mourinho - in a move slammed by the Munich chief as something that 'wouldn't happen at Bayern'.
But it has been revealed that Felix Magath did the same to the German in 2005, dumping him in the reserves despite an excellent summer for his country in the Confederations Cup.
Rummenigge had told : "I could hardly believe it. One or two players are going to think long and hard in future about whether they want to go to such a club.
"Nothing like that has ever happened at Bayern Munich.”
That is clearly not the case however, when ex-Fulham gaffer Magath took over at the beginning of the 2005/06 season and didn't believe Schweinsteiger was worthy of a first-team berth.
Instead of letting him fight it out for a place in the starting line-up, he sent the midfielder to the reserve team.
The hard-tackling midfielder even : "On the first day I came to the training, he looked at me and said. 'And who are you?'"
The move galvonised Schweinsteiger who hit back when finally given his chance and has gone on to win eight Bundesliga titles, a Champions League and seven League Cup's with the Germans, as well as the World Cup in 2014.
His switch to United has proved less fruitful, although last season's FA Cup win was welcome silverware in a side roundly criticised for it's ponderous style.
His brother Tobi has a dig at Mourinho after the German midfielder was banished to the reserves on his birthday.
A former player himself and current assistant of Bayern’s U17s, he seemingly hit out at the Portuguese tactician , simply writing: “No respect.”
Jose has told Schweinsteiger to find a new club before the end of August.
RELATED STORIES
Ottmar Hitzfeld, who gave Schweinsteiger his professional debut, has also condemned the demotion to the second team.
He said: "“It’s a lack of respect for a worthy player.
"It’s a method which is strange to me. Schweinsteiger is a key player, a world champion, a personality, while at the same time he has an exceptional attitude.”