Lothar Matthaus Slams 'Egotistical' James Rodriguez Amid Bayern Munich Slump

Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus has questioned James Rodriguez's attitude amid the club's recent poor run of form.

The German champions are without a win in their past four matches and slumped to a 3-0 loss at the Allianz Arena on Saturday against Borussia Monchengladbach. 

After only starting three games in the Bundesliga this season, there has been some speculation that Rodriguez is unhappy with life at the Allianz Arena in what is the second of his two-year loan switch from Real Madrid.

Matthaus made it clear he's unimpressed with the Colombia international's attitude, per the Spanish press (h/t Football Espana):

"Bayern have too many players only interested in themselves. [James] is one of the players who place their individual importance above the club, then they complain when they are not playing enough. 

"It is egotistical and it is disrespectful in respect to his coach, his club and his team-mates, he cannot react angrily because [manager Nico] Kovac does not put his arm around him like [former boss Jupp] Heynckes did."

TF-Images/Getty Images

Rodriguez was a key man for Bayern last season, first under Carlo Ancelotti and then under Heynckes—the latter stepped in to replace the Italian less than two months into the season. The midfielder ended the league season with seven goals and 11 assists.

However, Kovac evidently doesn't view the playmaker as a key member of the team. While he started in the loss to Monchengladbach, he's been left out of the starting XI on several occasions in 2018-19.

When asked about the midfielder recently, Kovac made it clear he is a big fan of what he can offer:

Even so, there has been speculation swirling about Rodriguez in recent weeks. According to Bild (h/t EFE, via AS), the Colombian lashed out at Kovac to team-mates and made it clear he would be asking to leave the club.

In addition, it's said Bayern's players are unhappy with Rodriguez's reluctance to learn German, as well as the team's pragmatic approach when compared to former bosses Heynckes and Pep Guardiola.

While the coach is clearly under pressure, Bundesliga pundit and former Norway international Jan Aage Fjortoft joked there are other issues the club needs to address:

If Kovac is to see out this stormy spell, then getting the best out of Rodriguez is important. The midfielder has proved himself to be a world-class creative force in the past.

But the Colombian needs to up his levels too, provided he does get opportunities to start after the international break. However, no player is performing to his best in a Munich side that appears fractured in almost every area.