Former PSV player makes no popularity in Germany
1 min readLast summer Malik Tillman left PSV for €35 million after two successful seasons. Tillman is now active for Bayer 04 Leverkusen and experienced a mixed first season with Die Werkself.
In the final months of the season, the American in particular was a substitute player and the midfielder also did not have a good relationship with the Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand, who replaced Erik ten Hag. Ten Hag was sacked after just fourteen weeks by the club management at Leverkusen.
In conversation with Kölner Stadt-Anzeige, the former PSV player addresses the criticism he received from the fans. "Some of the criticism was certainly justified. But sometimes you could take others into account a bit more," Tillman says, referring as well to unpleasant messages that were directed at him.
''Behind every player there is a person. Anyone who supports the club as a fan should support the players through thick and thin. Some did that, but a large part of the responses was negative. I just think certain remarks are simply inappropriate. Of course I have a public profile. Nevertheless, I don't have to blindly accept everything that's written about me'', continues the American.
On social media, this interview has sparked a lot of resistance among the supporters of Die Werkself. ''So he’s basically saying: I’m the most expensive signing, and if I don’t deliver on the pitch, then it’s everyone’s fault except mine. And nobody is allowed to criticize'' and ''What a sympathetic interview'' among other things sounds, in a cynical way.
Comments9
lol the part where he complains "Wat een sympathiek interview" is exactly the mood in Germany. For me the funny thing is he says fans should support "door dik en dun", while he calls a lot of their criticism inappropriate. 35m transfer, so you will always have pressure... no cap 🔥⚽
The quote "Wie de club als fan steunt, hoort de spelers door dik en dun te steunen" is a good message, but it doesnt erase that he had to adapt in Germany fast. If Leverkusen is looking for a scapegoat, he kind of gives them one. 👀
"Achter elke speler schuilt een mens." I get the point, but Leverkusen paid big money and he spent a lot of the time as a reserve. If the chemistry with Hjulmand was off, fine, but the fans also have the right to judge performances.
idk, i think supporters can be wrong, but theyre also watching results. If you dont have a good relationship with the coach and end up a reserve, people will talk. football is ruthless, dont act shocked.
So basically: i am the expensive signing, so if it goes bad its everyone elses fault. That mockery in the comments is not too surprising, even if the "nare berichten" part is a line you shouldnt cross. 💀
The part about Hjulmand is a bit awkward, Ten Hag replaced him and still got sacked after 14 weeks. That tells you the whole setup was chaotic, cant blame Malik only. But yeah, some criticism was deserved as he admits.
tbh i snap wel dat Tillman ook mens is, maar als je 35 miljoen kost dan wordt er gewoon verwacht dat je altijd klaarstaat. kritiek hoort erbij, persoonlijke aanvallen niet. toch wel ironisch hoe hij het bij de trainer en anderen neerlegt.
"Achter elke speler schuilt een mens" is correct, but some fans think money equals entitlement. Leverkusen fans can be brutal, tbh. 🔥
Honestly I get where Tillman is coming from, but if youre benched a lot after that 35m price tag, criticism is going to come. Still, personal stuff is never ok, keep it about football.