Boateng prefers Bayern setting

Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng claims his current side are a more professional outfit than former club Manchester City.

The German international made a switch back to the Bundesliga in the close-season, after spending just one year in English football.

Boateng has settled in well at the Bavarian club, helping them to top the table heading into the mid-season break and is happy with life under Jupp Heynckes.

“At Bayern everything is better coordinated. In training, you recognise the signature of the trainer,” Boateng told Abendzeitung Munich.

“Manchester City have 38 players, some training here, others there. It was always the same, there was really not a lot of fun. There are good players there, but overall something is missing.”

The 23-year-old has played at right back and centre half this season, and compared Bayern’s chances of winning the Champions League with Germany’s hopes of victory at Euro 2012.

“In terms of opportunities, neither team is far away. (With Germany) I have better chances on the right side. Up until the Euros I will perhaps play on the right but after that, I want to play in the middle. I would like to some day be a pure central defender,” he said.

Speaking about which position Heynckes prefers him to play, he stated: “I’ll ask him to how he plans to use me in the second half (of the season). In view of the Euros, it might not be bad to continue at right-back but I was brought to Bayern to be a central defender.”

Despite Boateng’s claims that he would like to play more centrally, he may need to get used to playing as a full-back.

Bayern are reported to be planning a close-season bid for Schalke’s Benedikt Howedes, meaning there will be even more competition at centre back.

Boateng has been a regular member of the Bayern starting line-up this season, making 23 appearances in all competitions.