Konrad Laimer: Bayern Munich's indispensable full-back
Konrad Laimer has become a key cog in the Bayern Munich machine thanks to his remarkable consistency and versatility. How has the unassuming Austria international morphed into a Bayern mainstay? We explain the former RB Leipzig man’s rise...
"I’m really having fun here," said Laimer earlier this season in reply to a question about his future with his Bayern contract expiring in summer 2027. "I’m open to everything."
Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund retorted, "We would like to see Konny stay at FC Bayern for a very very long time," and it is exactly for Laimer being "open to everything" that the record German champions want him to continue a story that started with his 2023 arrival on a free transfer from RB Leipzig.
After two campaigns in and out of the side, this season Laimer’s yogi-esque tactical flexibility has come into its own and earned him a regular place in head coach Vincent Kompany’s starting XI. While Philipp Lahm and Joshua Kimmich have been converted from full-backs to midfielders during their time at Bayern, Laimer has gone the other way – and on both sides of the pitch – showing a rare world-class jack-of-all-trades quality not seen since David Alaba.
Watch: The best of Konrad Laimer so far in 2025/26
"He is very important for us and has also taken on an important role at FC Bayern," said Alaba himself at the Austria camp during the October 2025 international break. "His mentality, his attitude and his professionalism are unique. He really gives everything, and in every training session and every game he pushes it to the limit. He also has the quality to play in several positions."
Kompany has certainly noted that. He started his Swiss-army-knife of a player in 13 of the 16 Hinrunde games Laimer played - he missed Matchday 15 due to suspension - and though he featured most at right-back, he also played left-back on four occasions.
"His energy and his hunger mark him out," said Kompany earlier this season. "The energy that he brings helps the team. We have a lot of quality, but you also need energy, that is very important for us."
So is Laimer’s quite literally unquestioning faith in what his boss tells him to do. "I wondered about it when the coach put up the tactical set-up," Laimer said after seeing he was playing at left-back in the UEFA Champions League against Club Brugge in October, while the left-footed Raphaël Guerreiro was at right-back. "The coach said that it was for tactical reasons. I have no idea what these tactical reasons were."
Cue laughter from media and Laimer himself.
"He’s the boss," Laimer continued. "Both myself and Guerreiro aren’t here to question it. It’s kind of cool to play on the left, though things are different for me as a right-footer. I prefer the right, but can make some interesting things happen when I head forward on the left."
Things certainly happened in the shape of two assists in a 4-0 win as Laimer produced a performance that few would have suspected was one of a mere fistful in the role. But that is Laimer’s greatest value to Bayern: a consistently high-level of performance wherever he plays.
Kompany’s faith in him is reflected in the fact that only five players, including Michael Olise and Harry Kane, have played more Bundesliga minutes this season, and the Bayern boss has been handsomely rewarded.
As you might expect from a player who said being "the aggressive leader, that's always interested me more than the magician and the artist," Laimer’s combative qualities have been integral to Bayern’s defensive solidity, averaging most tackles per 90 minutes in the squad.
But it is not only at the back that he has contributed. He has the third-most 'progressive carries' in the Bayern squad, and is in the same position for carries leading to a chance and also a goal.
The man Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick called, “one of the world’s best at winning the ball back” has so many more strings to his bow. In fact, he is virtually an orchestra all on his own.
"He’s having a fantastic season so far. He’s one of those players who often flies a bit under the radar, but he’s a vital part of our attack with his runs and with his assists," said Kane. "The way he defends, whether on the left or the right, is outstanding. He’s doing a brilliant job, so I really hope he stays with us for as long as possible."
The plaudits have been raining down on the 28-year-old, but have washed over him.
"It doesn't get you anywhere if you scroll and read too much," said Laimer, who has two goals and four assists in the league this season. "I can be better with the ball, without the ball in transition both defending and attacking. You can never stop learning. That is my mindset. I get up early every day and think about how I can be better. The things that you can do well already you can always do better."
Ask the man himself, there is even the possibility of seeing Laimer filling in in other positions on the pitch.
"It’s a strength of mine that I can adapt. I feel good in many roles and I now have that calmness of knowing how to act when I’m at right-back. I also trust myself to play centre-back, less as a forward," Laimer said with a grin. But ask him where he wants to play and the answer is unequivocal: "Definitely in midfield." It may take him a while to get back there.
A left calf muscle tear is now going to sideline him until mid-February, perhaps giving him time to reflect on his future.
In a German media interview in January, he suggested his future could be linked to that of teammate Dayot Upamecano, whose current contract expires in June, saying of the France internatioanl centre-back: "I have played for so long with him already and would like to play with him longer."
But he added that he is "someone who goes with his gut feeling".
"When I am happy with the decision and can look at myself in the mirror, then I will make the decision that is good for me," said Laimer. "That's how I'll always do it."
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