Jerome Boateng Internship Canceled After Protests

Jérôme Boateng will not take up a planned short coaching internship at Bayern Munich after sustained protests from supporters. The backlash followed a Munich court's 2024 finding that the 2014 World Cup winner was guilty of premeditated bodily harm against his former partner, for which he received a suspended fine and warning; Boateng denies the allegations. Head coach Vincent Kompany had offered the opportunity and CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said rehabilitation should be possible, but the club and Boateng agreed to cancel the arrangement to avoid distracting the team. Boateng, who retired last month after spells with Bayern and LASK Linz, said he will focus on obtaining his A coaching license and other pursuits and thanked the club. The decision followed demonstrations at recent matches and an online petition that gathered several thousand signatures opposing his return.