What an accolade for Bayern pro Jérôme Boateng! The 27-year-old centre-back has been named German Footballer of the Year by German sports journalists. In a poll conducted by respected weekly journal kicker Boateng claimed 163 of the 674 votes, surpassing his team-mates Thomas Müller (95) and Robert Lewandowski (90).
“I can't describe what I'm thinking. Of course I'm incredibly proud I've achieved a thing like this,” Boateng told kicker. The world champion succeeds former Wolfsburg pro Kevin De Bruyne. The following places went to former Bayern pro Toni Kroos (68) and FCB netminder Manuel Neuer (54).
Boateng joined FC Bayern in the summer of 2011, winning numerous titles since then: four German championship titles, three cup triumphs, the Champions League title, the UEFA Supercup triumph and the FIFA Club World Cup. Boateng is the first defender to receive the accolade since Jürgen Kohler in 1997.
Guardiola and Behringer third
Dirk Schuster has been named Coach of the Year for his work for promoted Bundesliga outfit Darmstadt 98. Schuster, who now coaches Augsburg, claimed 256 votes ahead of Dortmund's Thomas Tuchel (134) and former Bayern coach Pep Guardiola (54).
FCB captain Melanie Behringer came in third in the vote for Women's Footballer of the Year, receiving 42 votes. Wolfsburg's Alexandra Popp (109) won the poll followed by FFC Frankfurt's Mandy Islacker (63).
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