Butler blasts Bayer over Bailey benching
There are questions surrounding Bayer Leverkusen’s Jamaican forward Leon Bailey’s future at the Bay Arena after a rant by his agent and adoptive father Craig Butler on Twitter.
Despite, creditable performances in the German Bundesliga, which have seen the 20-year-old register 12 goals so far this season, Bailey started the German Cup semi-final against Bayern Munich on the bench, as head coach Heiko Herrlich decided to rest players ahead of Bayer’s important league match with Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.
Bailey, after being introduced to the game as a left back at half time, scored from a free kick, however, he could not prevent Bayer losing 6-2.
But Butler, while praising Bailey, lashed out at Herrlich’s decision.
“They put him on the bench. They put him on at left back. They don’t pass to him. The opponent double teams him. They kick him down. “What does he do? Gets up and put the free kick in the back of the damn net.”
Herrlich was, however, brief in his response to the tweet, saying “I accept his opinion, that’s it.”
HOTTEST YOUNG PROSPECTS
However, Bayer general manager Rudi Voller explained Bailey’s omission from the starting 11, saying “he has recently looked a bit tired.”
Bailey is regarded as one of the hottest young prospects in the Bundesliga, as he is currently linked to a number of English Premiership clubs and LaLiga giants Barcelona. He recently turned down an invitation to play for the Jamaica senior men’s team, while suggesting interest in playing for England instead, citing eligibility through his adoptive grandparents.
Bailey, who previously played for KRC Genk in Belgium, saw his relationship with his former club go sour when Butler accused fans of racially abusing his client, following a 6-1 loss to KV Oostende in November 2016.