Harry Kane responds to Michael Owen saying he was ‘nuts’ to leave the Premier League

Harry Kane has responded to Michael Owen calling him ‘nuts’ for leaving the Premier League to join Bayern Munich two years ago. 

The 32-year-old ended his 19-year association with Tottenham Hotspur in 2023 when he moved to Bayern to play in the Bundesliga. 

The decision did not go down well with Owen, who criticised the striker as he was just 48 goals away from breaking Alan Shearer’s Premier League record. 

Owen’s comments on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast irked Kane.

He told BBC 5 Live Sport: “Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I’ve spent a bit of time with him, but don’t know him well.

“Obviously, he is a Premier League great and an England great as well, so I’ll respect him as a person. However, everyone’s career is unique – their decisions and motivations are different.

“I know he was insinuating I went just for the trophy, but it was to be at the highest level for as long as possible.

“I’m really happy in that sense of playing big games, title runs, big Champions League matches, Club World Cup quarter-final.

“I feel I’m improving as a player. I’m pushing my limits as a player in terms of goalscoring. It’s hard not to hear things these days, but the decisions are best for me.

“I’m happy that I made that decision and very happy at Bayern Munich now.”

Kane received plenty of criticism when he left Tottenham to join Bayern, but his decision has been vindicated.

He has been a top performer for the Bavarians over the last two years, netting 91 times in 100 appearances.

The experienced centre-forward failed to lift the Bundesliga title in his debut campaign, despite recording 36 goals in 32 top-flight games. 

However, Kane achieved that feat last season as he powered his team to the league title with 36 direct goal contributions. 

His performances in the Champions League last campaign were also praiseworthy, although Bayern’s European journey came to an end in the quarter-finals following a 4-3 aggregate defeat to Inter Milan. 

Stats from Transfermarkt.