Bayern May Be Getting More Italian

By: chris | May 13th, 2008

Big changes were afoot in Germany last summer after their dismal and downright unacceptable campaign last year, at least by Bayern’s “record champion” standards. Well big changes came, and with them a nice big trophy for being the best team in the Bundesliga. Now is time to keep with the times, so out with the old and in with the new. Their biggest loss will undoubtedly be really annoying stalwart Oliver Kahn, who will leave in his stead the captain’s armband. His choice for replacement? None other than Tonigol (he’s earned the one name at this point) - who wants an Italian play time buddy in Bavaria. Enter Gennaro Gattuso (supposedly).

The whole captaincy thing catches one off guard because you’d think Bayern would have a homegrown star ready to take over the reins of such a storied club. But with Philipp Lahm looking to be off in the summer and old hands Willy Sagnol and Lucio potential casualties, the pickens are slim. (There’s Schweini, but he’s never struck me as captain’s material, and especially not at 23.)

Toni? It makes sense simply because teammates respect the hell out of him and he’s a guy who has worked for everything he’s accomplished, being a late bloomer spending part of his prime in the calcio dungeons. But there are a few reasons why this is less than logical. One, it’s his first year in Germany. Two, he’s not exactly been quiet about his hopes to return to the peninsula one day, perhaps soon. And last but perhaps most importantly, the guy has made no attempt to hide the fact that he barely speaks a lick of German. How is he supposed to yell at refs properly?

Something else Toni hasn’t been subtle about (I guess he’s just a forthright person) is his desire for an Italian buddy to drink beer and wear funny clothes with. so here comes Rino Gattuso to save the day. Reports in the peninsula are saying Ivan The Freaking Lunatic has agreed personal terms, this coming on the heels of Franz Beckenbauers love sonnets to the madman in the press. In cases like these, it seems a transfer fee - especially for a 30 year old - is a mere formality. So….Gattuso to Bayern? Could be.

As a fan of the Azzurri and Serie A, let me just say this to Germany: Stop taking our good Italians!

(But you can keep Zaccardo. He’s still yet to make up for that inexcusable gaffe in the summer of ‘06.)