Bayern Munich doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt and members of his department quit

Muller-Wohlfahrt claims the German champions' medical department has been blamed for Wednesday night's 3-1 first-leg defeat in Portugal which left their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

The 72-year-old medical professional, renowned as a world leader in his field, said 'the bond of trust is damaged' and called the blame centred at his department 'inexplicable'. His son Kilian, Peter Ueblacker and Lutz Hansel, who are all part of the team at Bayern, have also resigned.

A statement from Muller-Wohlfahrt read: 'After the Champions League match of Bayern Munich against Porto the medical department was for some inexplicable reason made primarily responsible. The bond of trust is damaged.' 

Pep Guardiola had just 14 fit players to choose from at the Estadio do Dragao and the Bayern manager implied in his post-match comments that the defeat was down to the lack of available players.

'We have players who were out a long time with injuries,' he said. 'Their legs don't last very long. It's a tough result to take into the second leg, but we'll give it a go.'

Guardiola and Muller-Wohlfahrt have reportedly had differences of opinion on several previous occasions including over the fitness of midfielder Thiago Alcantara ahead of last summer's World Cup.

Medhi Benatia, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Javi Martinez and David Alaba were among those missing from the Bayern squad on Wednesday through injury. Holger Badstuber and Bastian Schweinsteiger have also struggled with long-term problems.

Footage circulating online appears to show Guardiola aiming sarcastic applause at his bench against Bayer Leverkusen last week after centre back Benatia was withdrawn with an injury.

Bayern say the announcement was unexpected. Media director Markus Horwick said: 'We have no knowledge of this release, so we can not comment.'

Muller-Wohlfahrt has worked with the German national team as well as athletes including Usain Bolt and Boris Becker. The Bayern fall-out will not end his work with Joachim Low's team.

'He is the best doctor in the world,' Bolt said after being treated by Muller-Wohlfahrt at the London Olympics in 2012. 'The Doctor is a very, very great man. Thank you, Doctor!'

He previously quit Bayern after falling out with then-coach Jurgen Klinsmann in the 2008-09 season but returned after the manager left.

The German champions return to Bundesliga action on Saturday when they face Hoffenheim at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena. 

(dailymail.co.uk)