Bayern’s Lahm says future coaching role is unlikely

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has all but ruled out becoming a manager after he retires from football.

Lahm, 33, will bring his 15-year top-flight playing career to a close on Saturday when Bundesliga champions Bayern face Freiburg.

During that time, Lahm has won eight Bundesliga titles, six DFB Pokals and the Champions League in 2013. Lahm also captained Germany to the 2014 World Cup before announcing his retirement from international football five days later.

The full-back, who enjoyed a two-year stint on loan at Stuttgart between 2003 and 2005, is now relishing a life away from football.

He told Bayern’s official website: “I don’t know what’ll happen in 10 years but at the moment I can’t imagine that I’ll ever want to be a coach. Standing on the pitch every day and going through the tiny details of the game — I don’t think that’s for me.

“I retired from the national team with the feeling that it was the right time to call it a day after the tournament. And it’s the same now. I’ll have to see how my life pans out and what happens from week to week. First of all I’ll go on holiday with my family and just live for the moment.”

Lahm will lead Bayern out for the final time — on his 517th appearance for the club — at the Allianz Arena this weekend, and boss Carlo Ancelotti paid tribute to his skipper.

Ancelotti posted on his Twitter page: “You’ll always be our captain. It’s been an honour!”

Lahm made 113 appearances for Germany during an illustrious 10-year international career, and national team coach Joachim Low also praised his ex-captain.

Low told www.dfb.de: “Philipp is one of the best footballers in the world. He has played for many years at a world-class level and I have always felt it a great pleasure and personal enrichment to work with him and to discuss football.

“His decision to end his career deserves respect, even as I regret it as do many soccer fans, as I am convinced he has a lot of time to play with. I hope he has a lot of fun and that he will remain in football in Germany, in whatever role.”

Bayern midfielder Xabi Alonso will also be making his final appearance before retiring against Freiburg.

The 35-year-old has won two Champions League titles — while at Liverpool and Real Madrid — as well as two European Championships and a World Cup with Spain.