Jonathan Tah ready for Bayern Munich leadership role as new defender explains why he left Bayer Leverkusen for Harry Kane & Co

After joining Bayern from Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen in June and representing them at the Club World Cup, Tah is ready to take on the leadership role at the club and believes that's what the Bavarians expect of him. 

Tah spent 10 years at Leverkusen, winning the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal in 2023-24 under Xabi Alonso's mentorship. He came close to joining Bayern last summer, but was convinced by the Spanish coach to stay at the BayArena for another year. Although his contract at Leverkusen was set to end at the end of June, Bayern paid a transfer fee to ensure he could represent Vincent Kompany's side at the Club World Cup. He led the team's defence in the competition and helped them make their way to the quarter-finals, where they were knocked out by Paris Saint-Germain.

Tah revealed the reason behind signing for Bayern, telling club media: "It was a step out of my comfort zone for me, and I did that quite consciously: I had a great time in Leverkusen for ten years, the club and I myself developed further, and now I felt it was time for me to get to know a completely new environment again. But I think it's also important to question yourself from time to time and think: What can I do to take another step, to grow - as a person, but also as a footballer. That's why I made this decision."

He spoke of taking up the leadership role as well, saying: "I want to take on responsibility here. That's the expectation the club has of me, and probably the team's as well, but above all, it's the expectation I have of myself. You don't just come here and say: 'Here I am, I'm taking on responsibility now.' You have to perform, and then it will come with time, with games, with many training sessions – both on and off the pitch. You can't demand something from others that you don't live yourself. Only then can I begin to expect that from others and then push them."

Bayern will play friendlies against Tottenham on August 7 and Grasshoppers on August 12, before facing Stuttgart in the DFL-Supercup final on August 16. They will kickstart their Bundesliga campaign on August 22, against RB Leipzig.