Reuters Soccer Blog

Sentiment on all sides in Podolski’s Cologne move

Lukas Podolski has broken an unwritten rule in Germany: Thou shalt not leave Bayern Munich in the prime of one’s career for a small, struggling Bundesliga club.

Bayern’s decision to let the 23-year-old Podolski go back to the club he came from three years ago, once the current season is over, is an astonishing move from the Bavarians, who could probably have earned a far more handsome return on the Germany striker from another club abroad or even a wealthier Bundesliga side.

In all the years I’ve been watching Bayern’s transfer moves, I’ve never seen anything like this. Has Bayern sporting director Uli Hoeness grown soft in the twilight of his career?

But who could forget the scene in Cologne in September when Podolski set up one goal and scored a second after coming on for the final half hour to lead Bayern to a 3-0 win — and more than 50,000 Cologne fans cheered Poldi’s 90th minute goal against their team. Cologne players and Bayern managers were incensed, according to German media reports. It was an amazing scene. (more…)