Florian Wirtz true feelings about Liverpool and Bayern transfer after 'very difficult' phone call

Wirtz

The father of Florian Wirtz has detailed how Arne Slot persuaded the Germany international to ignore the lure of Bayern Munich and instead make a record-breaking move to Liverpool.

Wirtz become the most expensive player in the club's history last month when the Reds agreed a deal worth a potential £116million with Bayer Leverkusen.

Wirtz was unavailable to make his debut in last Sunday's friendly win at Preston North End with his Reds bow now expected to take place in Hong Kong next week against AC Milan.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder had been a long-term target of both Liverpool and Bayern, with Manchester City and Real Madrid having also briefly considered a concerted move.

But Wirtz's father Hans-Joachim - who also acts as his son's representative along with wife Karin - has explained the impact of a meeting in May with Slot that ultimately determined the player's next destination.

Asked if the discussion with the Reds boss was decisive, Wirtz's father said: "You could say that. Arne Slot has impressed Florian on the pitch.

"He's also a very pleasant person. Florian's best coaches have always been those who gave him a lot of freedom. And those with the most empathy have also reached Florian.

"He finds the English game interesting because it thrives on pace and dynamism.

Arne Slot presented his playing philosophy, the team tactics for possession and pressing, and how Florian can develop his strengths in these areas. That made a decisive impression on Florian.

"The training conditions in Liverpool were also totally impressive. Plus Florian is now at a good age to move abroad.

With a family, you're not as independent later on."

The Wirtz contingent met with Bayern and their boss Vincent Kompany a few days later but the Bundesliga side were unable to convince the player to remain in Germany.

"Vincent Kompany also had very good thoughts and ideas about how he wanted to integrate Florian into the FC Bayern team," said Wirtz's father.

Wirtz's father.

"In the end, it was a matter of nuances; the decision ultimately had to do with the different sporting situations and Florian's role.

"And financially, there weren't any major differences between the two clubs anyway. Again, Bayern Munich really tried hard, but a decision had to be made."

He added: "There were several clubs interested, but Bayern and Liverpool remained the only serious options.

"We set ourselves a deadline of the following Thursday. All three of us shared the same perception and thus made the joint decision in favour of Liverpool.

"Florian saw the move abroad as a new personal and sporting challenge and therefore chose Liverpool FC. We shared this view."

Bayern had been tracking Wirtz - who was originally at FC Koln - for several years with the Wirtz family having struck up a relationship with the club's honorary president Uli Hoeness.

And in a wide-ranging interview with Der Spiegel, the player's father admits it wasn't easy to inform Bayern they had missed out on the player.

Wirtz's father.

"The situation with Bayern was difficult because Uli Hoeness and (former Bayern forward and chief executive) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge made incredible efforts and also clearly analysed the sporting possibilities,"

"I have the greatest respect for Uli Hoeness and his life's work. After Florian's cruciate ligament tear in 2022, he completely selflessly helped us quickly get an appointment for surgery in Innsbruck.

“We are still grateful to him for that. That's why the final phone call with Uli Hoeness was very difficult for me.

"We had spoken several times beforehand, so he was as objective and fair as I'd ever known him.

“But of course, he couldn't hide his disappointment. After all, he had personally worked hard to bring about this change."