Hansi Flick said he made clear his intention to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season so as not to "fool around" amid growing speculation over his future.
Flick announced following Bayern's 3-2 win over Wolfsburg on Saturday that he has requested the termination of his contract – which runs until 2023 – at the conclusion of the campaign.
The 56-year-old has been strongly tipped to replace Joachim Low as Germany head coach after the rescheduled Euro 2020 but, while admitting the role was an option, denied negotiations had already begun.
Bayern's board responded to Flick's declaration by stating it "disapproves of the unilateral communications issued by Hansi Flick" and that talks would continue after the Bundesliga champions' game with Mainz on April 24.
Flick said on the eve of Bayern's fixture with Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday: "I have a request in advance: I will not say anything today about the discussions about my statements on Saturday and about the opinion of the club.
"I wanted to tell the team personally that I asked the club to terminate my contract in the summer.
"It was important to me for the players to know because it has already been leaked. It was a spontaneous thing to inform the team.
"The logical step was then to tell the media what is happening so that I don't have to 'fool around' any further."
Flick, who said the Leverkusen game is going to be too soon for Robert Lewandowski to return from a knee injury, was asked for his thoughts on several players posting images on social media celebrating the club's period of success under the coach.
Since taking over from Niko Kovac, Flick has won six trophies with Bayern – including a Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League treble last term.
"I am very grateful to the club, I have a great, successful time here. You always have success together, not alone," Flick added.
It was announced on Sunday that 12 teams have signed up to form a breakaway European Super League, with Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham of the Premier League joining up with LaLiga heavyweights Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid along with Serie A trio Juventus, Milan and Inter.
The news has been met with widespread condemnation, while UEFA and Europe's major leagues and ruling bodies have vowed to do all they can to block the competition.
No German clubs have signed up and Flick voiced his disapproval for the plans.
"I can only say that I don't know all the details, but I stand behind the statement made by the club and Borussia Dortmund. I think it would not be good for European football," Flick said.
Khadija Shaw brace powers Manchester City to commanding 4-0 win over Leicester City in WSL
Jamaican forward Khadija "Bunny" Shaw delivered a stellar performance on Sunday, scoring twice as Manchester City Women cruised to a 4-0 victory over Leicester City in the Women’s Super League (WSL). Jess Park and Mary Fowler also found the net in a dominant display that underscored City’s title ambitions.
The win was a much-needed bounce-back for Gareth Taylor’s side, who were coming off a disappointing loss to Chelsea. The victory keeps Manchester City second in the WSL standings and reinforces their strong start to the season.
City wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Shaw finding the back of the net just two minutes into the match. Kerstin Casparij whipped in a pinpoint cross, and the Jamaican striker rose above the Leicester defense to head home from close range.
Shaw doubled her tally in the 22nd minute, this time benefiting from Leila Ouahabi’s precision delivery from the left flank. The goal capped an electrifying first-half performance from Shaw, who showcased her aerial prowess and clinical finishing.
Jess Park made it 3-0 early in the second half with a stunning strike from distance, leaving Leicester’s goalkeeper with no chance. Mary Fowler completed the scoring with a superb half-volley after a defensive miscue from Leicester, sealing a comprehensive victory for City.
Despite the emphatic win, there was a minor concern for City late in the game as midfielder Jill Roord required treatment for an apparent injury. Roord left the pitch as a precaution, and City finished the match with 10 players.
The result marks another chapter in Khadija Shaw’s sensational season, with the Reggae Girlz star continuing to cement her reputation as one of the league’s top strikers. Manchester City will look to carry this momentum into their next fixture as they push for WSL glory.
Super-sub Musiala thrilled to end Bundesliga drought on home soil
Jamal Musiala felt "good to celebrate with the Bayern Munich fans" after netting his first Bundesliga home goals of the season in the 4-2 win over Heidenheim.
The Germany international climbed off the bench to score twice at the Allianz Arena, where he had not found the net in the German top flight since an 8-1 rout of Mainz in March.
Musiala's 11th Bundesliga appearance of the season was his first as a non-starter.
However, he said the breather was welcome and made him feel rejuvenated upon entering the contest, before taking his goal tally for the campaign to 12 in all competitions.
"Recently, I've played a lot of games in a row," he said. "That's why it was good that I got a break and came back energised.
"I've finally scored here in the [Allianz] Arena again. It feels good to celebrate with the fans."
Good morning #FCBayern Fans!
of the log and unbeaten in the #Bundesliga. pic.twitter.com/Ah7XbvVMFV
Vincent Kompany's side got back to winning ways following their 1-0 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB Pokal on Tuesday, in which Manuel Neuer was sent off early on.
And the Bayern boss was pleased by the response of his players.
"We started this week with a tough schedule, played 70 minutes with 10 players against Leverkusen, so it was always a dangerous game for many reasons," he told reporters during his post-match press conference.
"The first half was very good, possession was fluid. The second half - although we stayed calm when we conceded - the last 15 to 20 minutes, the feeling for Heidenheim is totally justified that they are still in the game.
"Still, we created a lot of chances. It was a tough week. We scored four goals. It was still a very, very good day."
Galaxy dedicate record-extending MLS Cup triumph to 'special' Puig
The LA Galaxy won a record-extending sixth MLS Cup title with a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, with their triumph motivated by Riqui Puig's injury.
The Galaxy found themselves two goals in front after 13 minutes thanks to strikes from Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic before Sean Nealis reduced the deficit.
Greg Vanney's side were able to hang on to seal the victory after the break, with many of the Galaxy players paying tribute to the absent Puig.
The Spaniard missed Saturday's showpiece after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in their Western Conference final victory over the Seattle Sounders.
Puig had been instrumental for the Galaxy this season, registering 31 goal involvements (17 goals, 14 assists) across all competitions.
He also created more chances (70) than any of his Galaxy team-mates, who dedicated their victory to Puig.
"It’s really special," said Mark Delgado. “When Riqui went down in the last game, and that final whistle blew, we were all happy. But to see him go down, we all felt so sad for him.
"It was just more of a motivation and another reason to step out there and win. A brother of ours went down, and we got to win this thing. We’re so happy to win this for him.”
After opening the scoring in the ninth minute, Paintsil was swarmed by his team-mates after tucking his shot past the onrushing Carlos Coronel.
But among the madness, the Ghanaian looked to the bench to grab Puig’s jersey and raise it toward the Galaxy faithful, with Joveljic following suit after his strike.
“This guy is unbelievable. One of the best players in the league, Riqui," added Diego Fagundez. “And today showed, even though he wasn’t on the field, we’re a family in here.
"We’re with each other so much that we’re like brothers. And it doesn’t matter if someone goes down, we’re all together. And today, we did it for him, and we did it for ourselves.”
“The first message that he said before we were in the huddle was ‘don’t do it for me, do it for each other,’ and that’s the right kind of mentality we want to have.
"He, as a player, he deserves everything. I know this is what he wanted.”
Puig was in the stands to support his side during the match, and despite not being able to help on the pitch, the Spaniard expressed his gratitude to his team-mates.
“Honestly, I’m very happy," Puig told MLS El Resumen. “It’s been a very complicated week for me, but people are giving me a lot of support, sending me messages.
"I apologise for not being able to respond to almost anybody because it’s been really complicated for me to face this type of injury.
"I was very afraid of it, even more so for nine months, to wait for this match. And I think today the team played spectacularly.”
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