Essence of calves’ blood and extracts from the crest of a cockerel.
Not ingredients for a wizard’s potion but two of the reported favored treatments of a German doctor who has quit one of Europe’s biggest football clubs following a row with its coach.
Doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt and his staff have left German champions Bayern Munich, claiming he was left to shoulder the blame for a raft of injuries to star players.
Matters came to a head after Wednesday’s European Champions League quarterfinal 3-1 first leg defeat by Porto, a result Muller-Wohlfahrt insists the medical team carried the can for.
‘We have players who were out a long time with injuries … their legs don’t last very long,” said Bayern coach Josep Guardiola. “It’s a tough result to take into the second leg, but we’ll give it a go.”
Bayern went in to Wednesday’s match in Portugal missing key players Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mehdi Benatia, Javi Martinez and David Alaba.
“After the Champions League match of Bayern Munich against Porto the medical department was for some inexplicable reason made primarily responsible. The bond of trust is damaged,’ read a statement from Muller-Wohlfahrt.
Bayern confirmed Muller-Wohlfahrt’s departure on Friday, ending the 72-year-old’s long association with the club.
“FC Bayern Munich has noted with regret the decision of team doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller Wohlfahrt (72) to quit his medical activities at the club,” read a statement from the five-time European champions.
“Dr. Muller-Wohlfahrt in particular, but also his team have done an incredible job for the club and its players in recent years, they have our sincere thanks.”
Guardiola, who enjoyed a glittering spell with Barcelona between 2008 and 2012 in his only previous top level coaching role, and his team will hope to overturn a two-goal deficit when Porto head to Munich on Tuesday.
“It was his decision to leave,” said Guardiola Friday. “I respect his decision — that is all.”
Muller-Wohlfahrt, famed for his unconventional methods, has worked with some of the world’s finest athletes.
Usain Bolt thanked him following his success at the London 2012 Olympic Games, where the Jamaican won three gold medals.
The German doctor also works with the German national team.
