Philipp Lahm could return to Bayern as CEO, he was right to end golden love affair with club

ByFlorian Bogner

Updated 08/02/2017 at 19:49 GMT

Bayern Munich are surprised their retiring captain Philipp Lahm has rejected the chance to remain at the club, but Eurosport's Munich-based Bundesliga expert Florian Bogner believes it is another sign of his intelligence off the pitch.

Leaving Bayern Munich suits Philipp Lahm, who will know what he wants from life after football.

He was always seen as a career guy, his own man, a business guy in shorts, but this is not the right time for him to stay at the club.

Lahm had a year left on his contract with the Bundesliga champions. He could have played on, he will walk away early. He could have stayed on as a director, he will walk away completely.

Champions League

Exclusive: Tuchel says Bayern must be 'almost perfect' in second leg to defeat Arsenal

5 hours ago

There is a lot of respect from the public in Munich and Germany for his contribution to the club and country, no doubt about that.

Philipp Lahm at the Munich beer festival.

Image credit: Eurosport

Yet he is probably lacking the love Bastian Schweinsteiger received after the country's World Cup success in 2014.

If Lahm was the head of Bayern and national team for many years, Schweinsteiger was the stomach. Or even the heart of club and country.

Bayern captain Lahm to retire at end of season

That is not to detract from Lahm's contribution to his profession and the interests of Bayern over the past 16 years.

You have to credit Lahm, and say that he is the guy in charge of his career, he knows what he wants from life.

He has stopped at the highest level in the national team after the World Cup final, and is now he is ending his career with the German champions at the very top.

Philipp Lahm with the Champions League trophy.

Image credit: Imago

There are few footballers who get the chance to leave on their own terms, even fewer who get the chance to go out right at the very top. He has won every major honour in football. At the age of 33, he has nothing left to prove, or win in football.

He obviously did not want to accept the offer of sports director with Bayern which is also a nice move that shows his maturity.

Otherwise, he only would have been merely the apprentice of the president Uli Hoeness and chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, a small trainee with no real power.

After saying farewell to the Bayern fans when the season ends, he now can go out into the world, learn some new skills and maybe even become the successor of Rummenigge some day to lead Bayern into the future as the CEO.

As I said, he is a smart guy.

Florian Bogner

BAYERN MUNICH SURPRISED BY LAHM'S DECISION TO REJECT OFFER

Bayern released a statement on Wednesday morning expressing their surprise, but said the door would always remain open to the German World Cup winner.

"FC Bayern München is surprised by the approach of Philipp Lahm and his adviser. Uli Hoeneß and I have held open, intensive and constructive talks with Philipp in recent months about a possible position as sporting director of our club.

Philipp Lahm holds the World Cup

Image credit: Eurosport

"At the end of last week, he informed us that he is currently not available for such a position and that he would like an early termination of his player contract, which runs until June 2018, at the end of the current season.

Until yesterday we assumed that there would be a joint announcement on this decision by Philipp Lahm and FC Bayern München. Philipp Lahm has been an important player for FC Bayern München for over a decade.

"We are convinced that our captain will now concentrate fully with the team on the tough upcoming tasks in the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB Cup. We would like to make clear that the door will always remain open for Philipp at FC Bayern München.”

Lahm explains his decision

Lahm released a more detailed statement on Wednesday explaining his decision to quit now and giving more information on why he feels that this is the right time.

"Just as with my retirement from the national team (in 2014), I trust my inner senses," Lahm wrote. "As a captain, it's very important for me to always deliver a top quality performance, and I realise that I won't be able to do so beyond this season.

"I have been a player for FC Bayern since the age of 11. Except for the two years in Stuttgart, I have always worn the FCB jersey. Therefore it is clear to me that I will be working together again with FCB at some point in the future.

"As you all know, I am a person who likes to be prepared - this is why I'd like to take a step back in order to reflect on football as a whole and think about how to best make use of my expertise and experiences.

"For now, my focus lies completely on the remaining games,

"Surely, I will experience them more consciously than ever, knowing they are my last.

"We're in the quarter-finals of the DFB-Cup, we want to achieve the fifth consecutive championship in the league - and next week against Arsenal (in the Champions League) we'll face a true performance benchmark.

"Huge goals and challenges ahead, so #packmas!"

Champions League

Exclusive: Kane targets Wembley final with Bayern - 'No better place to win'

7 hours ago

Champions League

How to watch Bayern Munich v Arsenal on TNT Sports and discovery+

Yesterday at 10:13

Transfers

Man Utd in race with Real and Bayern to sign Frimpong for £34m - Paper Round

11/04/2024 at 08:18