Lahm lauds Guardiola get

Philipp Lahm believes Bayern Munich have found the best possible solution after appointing Pep Guardiola as their head coach.

With the current man in charge at Bayern Jupp Heynckes set to retire at the end of the season, the Bavarian giants announced the capture of former Barcelona manager Guardiola this week.

Guardiola – who will take charge at the end of this season – has not worked in football since quitting as Barca manager in June last year.

The 41-year-old led the Spanish club to three La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions League successes and was in demand from several clubs across the world, with his signature representing a coup for Bayern.

And the club’s captain, Lahm, praised the work of the club for appointing Guardiola.

“As I said before, he is one of the most successful managers of the last couple of years,” Lahm said.

“That’s why everybody will be glad to work with him. We, as players thought about the retirement of (Jupp) Heynckes, and that there are not many options for his replacement.

“So Bayern found the ‘king-solution’ and we must say well done from the board.”

Lahm said it is a ‘big sign’ from Guardiola that he turned down reported options in Italy and England to coach Bayern Munich, while he also praised Heynckes for his work in making the club attractive.

“It is very special when such a manager wants to join Bayern Munich,” he said.

“That reflects the status of the club and the quality of the team that such a manager wants to train us. But it also shows what our current manager did in the last two years.

“He (Heynckes) formed a team that is competitive across all competitions. The new coach can maintain this way and improve on it. So I think that is very good for us.”

Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer says the players can be ‘very proud’ after Guardiola’s appointment.

The club currently sit nine points clear at the top of the Bundesliga at the halfway mark of the season.