Bayern Munich captain Philip Lahm has revealed he came close to joining Manchester United or
Barcelona earlier in his career.
Speaking exclusively to goal.com, Lahm – who retired from
international duty in 2014 after winning the world cup with Germany –
said he considered moving to premier league after Manchester United
enquired about his availability
He said: “As a player you always think about your options, and there was a time where Manchester United made an approach for me – and Barcelona looked at me too – so I considered life in England or Spain.”
The midfielder said a move was not actualized which led to him staying. The 31 year old also said he stayed because he felt the club had a big chance to win the champions league.
He continued: “In the end I decided to stay in Germany. Bayern is my home-town club and I thought good things could happen for the club, so I signed on for more years, and it proved to be the right decision.
“I felt we had the chance to win the Champions League, and I was right. I’d rather win it with my club, my home town team, than with any other. So England might have been nice – but I am glad I stayed in Germany.”
Lahm led Bayern to the 2010 and 2012 champions league finals which they lost to Inter Milan and Chelsea respectively but they won the 2013 finals against Dortmund.
The full-back cum center midfielder is expected to retire in 2018 when his contract expires.
Barcelona earlier in his career.
Philip Lahm
Philipp
Lahm of Germany is presented with the World Cup trophy by Brazilian
President Dilma Rousseff and FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter after
defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup
Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13,
2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
He said: “As a player you always think about your options, and there was a time where Manchester United made an approach for me – and Barcelona looked at me too – so I considered life in England or Spain.”
The midfielder said a move was not actualized which led to him staying. The 31 year old also said he stayed because he felt the club had a big chance to win the champions league.
He continued: “In the end I decided to stay in Germany. Bayern is my home-town club and I thought good things could happen for the club, so I signed on for more years, and it proved to be the right decision.
“I felt we had the chance to win the Champions League, and I was right. I’d rather win it with my club, my home town team, than with any other. So England might have been nice – but I am glad I stayed in Germany.”
Lahm led Bayern to the 2010 and 2012 champions league finals which they lost to Inter Milan and Chelsea respectively but they won the 2013 finals against Dortmund.
The full-back cum center midfielder is expected to retire in 2018 when his contract expires.
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