Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has announced his intention to retire from football at the end of the current season. Lahm, aged 33, was also the captain of the German national team which won the World Cup in 2014. The skipper made the announcement after Bayern's German Cup last-16 win over Wolfsburg. It was his 501st match for Bayern Munich in all competitions. His contract with the Bundesliga champions was set to expire at the end of next season, in July 2018.
"I can continue with my leadership style, giving my best every day, in every training, until the end of the season. I can keep doing it this season but not beyond," he said. "I've been considering it for more than the past year. You have to keep testing yourself, you have to keep asking yourself 'how is it', day by day, week by week on the training pitch, what's the feeling you have." He started his career as a child at Bayern and made his senior debut in 2002. He went on to win seven Bundesliga titles and the Champions League with his club.
Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said the club were "surprised" by Lahm's announcement. The player has also turned down a job as sporting director at the club, but Rummenigge insisted that Lahm will always have an opportunity to work at the club. Rummenigge added: "Bayern Munich are surprised by the actions of Philipp Lahm and his advisor.Uli Hoeness and myself had honest, intensive talks in the past months with Philipp about a potential involvement in the management of our club. Last week he informed us he was currently not available for the sports director position and that he wants to end his contract early."
Bayern Munich will most likely win another Bundesliga title this season, they are 1/33 at Bet365 to retain the crown.
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Comments (1)
sharpe
02/10/17, 12:02:14 AM
Yes, it sound odd that he wants to retire a season earlier of his contract length but probably Lam have a good reason behind that, he probably feels his body not...
Yes, it sound odd that he wants to retire a season earlier of his contract length but probably Lam have a good reason behind that, he probably feels his body not as it use to be and that's quite normal of course because of the age but it steel strange I think that he couldn't play for yet another season till the end of the contract. That makes me think he's tired even mentally and just wants to be far away from all that...
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