Kasper Schmeichel has revealed how he came close to joining Bayern Munich just a few months after his departure from Leicester City, only for the move to collapse at the last moment as he was preparing to head to the airport.
The former Leicester captain and title-winning goalkeeper is set to face Bayern Munich on Tuesday night in the second leg of Celtic’s Champions League knockout phase play-off.
Bayern hold a 2-1 advantage from the first leg, and Schmeichel will be hoping to help Celtic pull off a stunning upset. However, the 38-year-old could have been lining up for the German giants instead.
Speaking ahead of the match, Schmeichel explained that Bayern approached him towards the end of 2022 as they searched for a temporary replacement for the injured Manuel Neuer.
At the time, Schmeichel was playing for Nice, having left Leicester just a few months earlier. The deal seemed all but done until it unexpectedly fell through.
“Yes, that’s correct, there were discussions about me joining Bayern,” said Schmeichel. “It was after Manuel Neuer got his injury at the World Cup a couple of years ago.
“Basically, everything was kind of agreed and it just fell through at the last second. You would have to ask Bayern what the problem was.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure what happened, but I was kind of on my way to the airport.
“Unfortunately, it didn’t materialise. It would have been a dream to have played for a club like this, but it wasn’t to be.
“Everything happens for a reason. I’m very happy with where it’s brought me now. Sometimes life works in funny ways. I’m delighted to now be with Celtic.
“My grandfather loved German football and Bayern Munich are kind of the flagship of German football, so he always talked about them.
“It’s a club that I’ve followed from an early age. It’s great to play against them, but it would be even greater if we could pull off something.
“I spoke to the hierarchy. I knew what my role was going to be. It was keeping the seat warm until Manuel came back. And I was more than fine with that.
“To have played for a club of this stature would have been more than enough. I said: ‘Send the contract.’ I don’t even need to know what it is. I’ll sign it anyway.
“So, yeah, it would have been a dream come true, but it wasn’t to be. And it’s brought me here now with Celtic. So I’m very happy with that as well.”
Leicester’s decision to sell Schmeichel in the summer of 2022, partly due to his high wages and the club’s Profit and Sustainability Rules concerns, ultimately backfired. Danny Ward, who replaced Schmeichel as the number one goalkeeper, struggled to fill the void, and Leicester were relegated at the end of that season.
Now at Celtic, Schmeichel is focused on making an impact in the Champions League, even if it means facing the club he nearly joined. His journey has taken an unexpected turn, but the Danish goalkeeper remains content with where he has landed.
