On Wednesday, Malik Tillman gave a remarkable interview in which he publicly criticized his employer and the fans of Bayer 04 Leverkusen. It remains to be seen whether he will start the new season with the Werkself.
With this remarkable interview, Malik Tillman is likely to cause at least a minor stir at Bayer 04 Leverkusen about two weeks before the start of competitive play. In an interview with the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, the U.S. national team player didn’t mince words and spoke about an unsatisfactory debut season—29 Bundesliga appearances and six goals.
“Last season went the way it went,” he says right off the bat: “What better fresh start could there be than a new season with a new coach? I can show what I’m capable of and prove myself all over again. I’m trying to have fun again. That’s what I missed last season.”
After his record-breaking transfer to Bayer, Tillman never felt like he’d “really settled in.” “I felt comfortable on the team. But it’s safe to say now that the coach and I just didn’t click.” According to Tillman, if Kasper Hjulmand hadn’t been replaced by Carles Martinez, he definitely wouldn’t have stayed in Leverkusen.
Now he wants to give his time with the Werkself another chance. “I’ve come back with the mindset of getting to know the coach and observing how things work: How does he work? How does he think? What’s his plan, and what’s his plan for me? In the end, we’ll see whether I stay or not,” says the World Cup player, deliberately leaving his future open.
In principle, however, the attacking player doesn’t consider his time in Leverkusen over yet; his contract runs through 2030 anyway. “I want to prove in Leverkusen what I’m really capable of,” Tillman clarifies: “I haven’t managed to do that so far. I think a lot of fans still underestimate me. I know myself that I’m capable of much more than I’ve shown so far.”
“That was blown out of proportion in the media”
The Bayer fans are a key point. Tillman faced some harsh criticism during his first season. “Of course, you have to accept freedom of speech. Some of the criticism was certainly justified. But sometimes people could show a little more consideration, because there’s a human being behind every player,” he says, adding: “Fans who support the club should stand by the players through thick and thin. Some did that, but a large portion of the reactions were negative. I can handle criticism, but it’s not always easy to take.”
Another source of discontent among the fans was that Tillman had temporarily deleted all social media posts related to Bayer 04. “The media blew that out of proportion. I’d already deleted the posts several weeks before the reports came out,” Tillman recalls: “I just think certain comments are inappropriate. Of course, I have a public profile. Still, that doesn’t mean I have to meekly accept everything written about me there. That’s what it came down to for me: I didn’t want those comments to remain publicly visible on my profile anymore.”
Those critics would be much better off approaching him in person. “Anyone who has a problem with me can come to practice, talk to me after practice, and tell me,” he suggests: “Behind a screen or on a smartphone, anyone can talk a big game. In reality, things often look different.”
But it wasn’t just from Hjulmand and the fans that Tillman sometimes lacked support. “Communication between me and the management certainly has room for improvement,” he openly admits: “Even during the World Cup, I would have liked a little more support. No one has to text or call every day. But every now and then, I would have appreciated one or two more messages.”
“The coach plays a big part in that”
If Tillman stays in Leverkusen, he’s definitely aiming for the Champions League again. What does it take? “We have to win games. Last season, we let too many games slip away.” Tillman saw “too many unnecessary draws and losses.”
He definitely sees the necessary spirit and motivation in the team for a turnaround. “We’ve grown even closer, understand each other better, and are connecting better on the field. The coach has played a big part in that,” Tillman explains, referring to Martinez. And probably Hjulmand as well.