Thomas Muller says modern-day football is 'too soft' for him in refreshingly honest interview

Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller may be finding regular first-team football hard to come by under Thomas Tuchel this season, but he isn't one to complain.

In fact, the Germany international has opened up about his current situation at the Allianz Arena in an "honest" interview, where he explains why modern-day football is "too soft".

Muller, who has made over 600 appearances for Bayern during a 13-year stay, has been limited to mostly substitute appearances in recent months.

He does, however, feel no resentment towards Tuchel. Speaking to German publication Sport BILD, Muller touched on the tough competition at Bayern, as well as today's coaching methods.

"Here at FC Bayern, we are at the top of the football food chain. There's no room for 'he doesn't take the coach's decision well'," he said.

"I have to be honest and say that today's football is sometimes too soft for me. Toughness has its charm. It doesn't have to be inhumane, but coaches should be allowed to show a certain level of toughness with their players.

"As a player, you have to be able to put up with that or you won't get far.

"We have great attacking players at FC Bayern, the competition is big. I think I've shown this season that I can still provide the decisive spark and bring a different type of player to our attacking line."

Muller added: "I want to build on the two games before Christmas and then we'll see. But the fact is that no matter what the coach decides game by game, every little thing at FC Bayern will be questioned from the outside anyway."

Image credit: Getty

Earlier this month, the German also opened up about his consistency in front of goal, and did so in true Thomas Muller fashion.

"Raw stats like goals or titles are certainly an important factor," he told Sport BILD. "But in the end, football is more than that.

"The magic also lies in the aesthetics and elegance. I once read that I have more goal involvements than Zinédine Zidane. But I won't be kidding myself - for the magic of the game and the aesthetics of football, magicians like Messi or Zidane are a completely different category to me."