Ballack questions Bayern’s public handling of teenage talent Lennart Karl

Michael Ballack has publicly challenged Bayern Munich officials over their criticism of 18-year-old midfielder Lennart Karl, arguing that the player’s footballing development should not be confused with his conduct away from the pitch.

Ballack, who played for Bayern between 2002 and 2006 and won 98 caps for Germany, defended Karl while also criticising the club’s honorary president Uli Hoeness and sporting director Max Eberl.

Hoeness recently criticised Karl and threatened to hold a personal meeting with him, saying the teenager was “not a star yet” and needed “humility”. Those comments reportedly caused particular concern for Karl’s agent, Ballack.

Karl’s behaviour off the pitch and activity on social media have been widely discussed in recent weeks. Ballack accepts the youngster will make mistakes, but believes that is an unavoidable part of his development.

“Social media is a major factor today, and not only for the younger generation,” Ballack said. “Everyone is free to express themselves as they wish. It is also clear that you will not always get everything right. Unfortunately, that makes it possible for a player to be attacked over such things.”

Speaking to German newspaper Bild on Saturday, Ballack added: “You should not confuse the player’s sporting development with this. That is exactly what Bayern Munich are doing.

“Uli Hoeness is entitled to criticise this public image. But it is also clear that he is targeting Lennart publicly.”

Ballack also disagreed with Eberl, who recently said Karl needed to take responsibility for his performances on the pitch.

“Lenny has to show on the field that he is capable of getting out of this crisis,” Eberl said.

Ballack questioned the timing and substance of that assessment, saying: “After Lennart’s performance curve had started to rise again, Eberl comes out with that statement.

“His view is full of errors. The timing is incomprehensible and, at the very least, I have to question it in terms of its content.”

Ballack acknowledged that Karl’s personality could continue to provoke criticism during his career.

“Lennart Karl has a distinctive personality,” he said. “It is to be expected that he will upset people once or twice during his career because of that.”

However, Ballack remains convinced of Karl’s ability and believes his progress over the past year has been exceptional.

“Lennart’s sporting development over the last year has been remarkable,” he said. “The fact that he was able to prove himself at Bayern Munich at the age of 17 is clear evidence of his exceptional footballing quality.

“But more important than anything else and this is crucial at a major club like this is his character.”

Ballack also urged Karl not to allow the public criticism to affect his progress.

“He must not let the public criticism divert him from his path,” Ballack said. “I hope Lennart does not allow himself to lose his fitness completely before reaching the age of 20. He has my full support in this.”