Bundesliga
Müller enjoying his best ever football under Flick at Bayern
Thomas Müller says he is playing his best ever football under Hansi Flick at Bayern Munich, and says there is more still to come from the 2020 treble-winning vintage.
Bayern sealed their second ever continental treble in beating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the UEFA Champions League final earlier this month, and although it was Kingsley Coman who headed home a Joshua Kimmich cross to win the Lisbon showpiece, Müller had a hand in 14 goals and 26 assists in all competitions on the journey to treble glory.
His 21 assists in the Bundesliga are an all-time single-season record, overtaking the 19 Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne managed for Wolfsburg in the 2014/15 campaign. Benched by Niko Kovac at the start of the season, Müller is grateful for the impact the Croatian's successor as coach, Flick, has had.
Watch: Every single one Müller's Bundesliga goals and assists last season
"Hansi Flick's a person who not only finds the right words when speaking, but also hits the right tone that captures the players' imagination," Müller explained to SportBild. "He doesn't just rely on his rhetoric though; it's also combined with a tactical concept. What can I say? We get on really well with him!"
Müller was also dominant in 2013 when Bayern wrapped up their previous treble. The now 30-year-old plundered 23 goals and 17 assists in all competitions that year, but insists the 2019/20 version was superior.
"I've had my most dominant role since playing for Bayern," he continued. "For my first treble I was still in my younger years. But for a leadership role like the one I've been allowed recently, it's important for the coach to show his trust in you. Hansi Flick did that. The rest is history. What he's done with the team over the last 10 months is incredible."
Watch: Bayern, very special treble winners
Müller was one of five players to feature to feature in Lisbon as well as the 2013 Champions League final in London - an all-Bundesliga affair in which Bayern beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 thanks to Arjen Robben's 89th-minute winner - alongside Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng, David Alaba and Javi Martinez. Müller thinks Neuer in particular could also be playing his best ever football.
"Both [Kylian] Mbappe and Neymar showed how dangerous they can be," Müller said of the 2020 final. "But they found the master in the way in Manu. He confirmed himself as a world-class goalkeeper once again. He's always there in important games and absolutely deserves the praise."
Müller, Neuer and Co. will get the defence of their Bundesliga title underway on 18 September when Bayern kick off the 2020/21 season at home to Schalke.