Thomas Müller has already jetted off to Vancouver to start his new career chapter as a player for the Whitecaps in the MLS, leaving behind an incredible legacy and storied career at Bayern Munich. It was a relatively open secret that the Raumdeuter was more than likely going to wind up moving to the North American top flight once the FIFA Club World Cup concluded, but it’s now come full circle and he’s ready to hit the ground running, knowing full well that there will certainly be an adjustment period.
Nick Salihamidžić, who is the son of former Bayern player and sporting director Hasan Salihamidžić, spent a portion of his playing career with the Whitecaps’ second team and knows what it’s like to play for a club in North America after spending the majority of his time in Europe. There are differences in playing styles in the MLS and European leagues, but the differences also extend far beyond the pitch and into what life is like off the pitch and away from the day-to-day hustle and bustle of playing for a professional football club.
“Thomas will be able to enjoy his private life in Vancouver,” Brazzo’s son said in a recent interview with Bild. Of course, this is something that was a lot harder for Müller to do in Munich when he would be out and about away from his home.
A vast diversity in the landscape of Vancouver is also something that Salihamidzic feels Müller will be very fond of in addition to applying his traits in a completely new league and style of play in the MLS. “The city is outstanding. On the one hand, you get a real “city feeling”, on the other hand, you have a beach, as well as the mountains. You have everything you need, so I think this versatility was definitely a reason for Müller’s move. The MLS is a very good league and I would have made exactly the same decision if I were him,” he explained.
For what it’s worth, Salihamidžić having such positive things to say about the city, club, and league after only spending a short tenure there is reassuring for Müller. In total, Salihamidžić only made five appearances for the Whitecaps’ second team in 2022 before going to Bayern’s reserve team. Alphonso Davies would have also spoke highly of the Whitecaps ahead of Müller’s move there, having spent more time there than Salihamidžić before he came to Munich himself and also having spent time on the Whitecaps’ second team before breaking through to the senior squad.
Looking ahead, Salihamidžić offered his advice for Müller as he starts his new chapter and said that he should just enjoy everything and completely soak in the experience and all it has to offer. “If I could tell him anything, it would be that he should just enjoy the time. Vancouver is a great last step in his career and I’m sure he’ll be a great addition to the team with his style and have a good time. In addition, Vancouver is getting a world star in their city in Thomas Müller and he will certainly get a similar status from the fans as he has always had in Munich anyway,” he stressed.
