Thus, yet another long drawn story is inevitably coming to its probable end. Kroos and Bayern have come to the point where they cannot accept each other with open arms. The two are parting ways. Kroos has shown everything ironically which Bayern had wanted him to show previously. He has shown grit, determination and courage to push a deal to Real Madrid through. Bayern, meanwhile, have only themselves to blame.
When Kroos arrived at Bayern II from Hansa Rostock's youth system, he blended in seamlessly. He moved slowly, played brilliant passes and seemed so disinterested that Bayern loaned him out to Bayer Leverkusen. The disinterested and calm expression never disappeared from his face. In January 2010, Bayern played Leverkusen. Jupp Heynckes was the coach of Bayer 04.
Kroos had a wonderful chance to finish the contest in title challenging Leverkusen's favor. He missed; pitch side, only German engineering (in the form of a very strong chair) kept Heynckes upright on the sidelines. The match ended in a draw; Kroos seemed to have found a balance between upsetting his parent club and upsetting his then home. Louis Van Gaal had seen enough to convince him that he wanted the youngster back.
In mid 2010, he recalled Kroos from his loan spell. Kroos' sparkle diminished. Everyone wondered what had happened to a player Uli Hoeneß had said would eventually inherit the Bayern No.10 jersey. Well, firstly, Arjen Robben donned the jersey. Secondly, Kroos' attitude did not seem right. In mid 2011, Heynckes took over and all seemed right. Kroos became a fixture in the team as a playmaker.
Then in October 2011, Bastian Schweinsteiger broke his collar bone. And Kroos found himself a defensive midfielder, sitting next to Luiz Gustavo. He seemed to lack the grit to hold down that role. But he grew into it. Schweinsteiger eventually came back and Kroos returned to his role behind the striker.
Kroos excelled in 2012-13; in the first half of the season he could not stop scoring. In the second half, he played well too. By the time Pep Guardiola took over, only one Bayern player seemed talented enough (and fit enough aside from the irreplacable Philipp Lahm) to hold down a spot in the midfield. This was Kroos. He became a more defensive minded player.
He became irreplacable.
Yet, he seemed to shun the spotlight too often. He had hardened but he did not seem vocal enough on the pitch. He did not seem to care about Bayern as much as the others around him. He seemed carefree. He was not afraid to throw his gloves away in frustration when Guardiola substituted him following an average performance. He was duly banned by the manager but only for one match. Bayern needed him and Guardiola knew this.
But Karl Heinz Rummenigge and Matthias Sammer were not convinced. They refused to pay him what he deserved when they set terms for an extension. Mario Gotze, in his first year was earning more. Robert Lewandowski is set to earn more. Kroos was going to be paid less than he deserved; he turned down the offer and flirted with Manchester United. He seemed unhappy. He went on to excel in the FIFA World Cup, having excelled in the UEFA Champions League in both the previous seasons.
Real Madrid took their chance. They offered one of the best midfielders in the game a home to shine.
Kroos found a dream; he turned down Bayern's last minute extension. He had seen enough. They did not trust him. The love and ambition which saw him move as a teen from Rostock was gone; he had excelled and yet, Bayern did not trust him enough.
Bayern did not think he had enough ambition. He proved he had when he decided to turn his back on Bayern and go to the current holders of the UEFA Champions League, a club which is notorious for the manner in which it buys and discards players. He is set to be the heart of their midfield.
Bayern has well and truly lost this battle. They should have seen his potential; they should have had faith in his ambitions. They did not and are set to lose him.
Kroos is set to be the center at Europe's most decorated team. And knowing his ambitions, if Real do meet Bayern in the Champions League, he might decide to expose the opposition, the team he called home, the team who he surely would have stayed with had they trusted his ambitions and his skills enough, had they showed him his worth by offering him the right money, had they simply told him they believed in him.
