The 18-year-old winger has struggled to reproduce his best form since returning from injury, and Hoeness believes the expectations surrounding him may have become excessive.
“I have decided to have a serious conversation with him. He is still a long way from being a superstar; young players need humility,” Hoeness told Welt am Sonntag.
The former Bayern Munich president also questioned whether comparisons with teammate Michael Olise were helping the teenager’s development.
“Comparisons with Olise are obviously not doing him any good; there are still worlds between them,” Hoeness said.
He argued that young footballers need to experience pressure as they progress rather than receive constant reassurance.
“Young players also need pressure. I don’t know whether it does Lennart Karl any good if people are always putting their arms around him,” he added.
Karl enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, scoring nine goals and providing eight assists for Bayern’s senior team. His performances also helped him earn recognition at international level, marking him out as one of the club’s most promising young players.
However, a thigh muscle injury sustained before the summer World Cup disrupted his progress. Since returning, he has struggled to regain the form that made him such an important attacking prospect, accumulating only 267 minutes across Bayern’s first nine competitive matches of the current campaign.
The criticism comes amid wider scrutiny of Karl’s public image, including reports that people within Bayern have questioned his presentation on social media. Hoeness’ comments suggest he wants the youngster to focus on improving his football rather than becoming caught up in comparisons and outside attention.
Olise’s future also featured in Hoeness’ interview. The Frenchman has been linked with a potential move to Real Madrid, but the Bayern figure dismissed the speculation and pointed to his contract, which runs until 30 June 2029.
“We will speak to him during the season about whether he wants to extend. If he does not want to yet, we will wait and see what happens in 2029,” Hoeness said.
For Karl, the immediate challenge is to recover his previous level and establish himself more consistently in Bayern’s attack. Hoeness has made clear that he sees potential in the teenager, but believes humility and pressure are part of the process of fulfilling it.