No regrets for Podolski after quitting Bayern

Germany striker Lukas Podolski, a likely star of next year’s World Cup in South Africa, insisted Sunday he has no doubts about quitting Bayern Munich to return to struggling Cologne.

The 24-year-old, voted the best young player at the 2006 World Cup, returned to Cologne last summer after three difficult seasons at Bayern where he struggled to impose himself.

Since returning to Cologne, the club from where he first broke into the Germany squad, Podolski has scored just one goal in 17 games.

But Sunday’s 3-0 win over relegation candidates Nuremberg leaves them 12th in the Bundesliga as Podolski’s forward partner Milivoje Novakovic scored twice.

“I would take the same decision again without hesitating for a second,” Podolski told German daily Bild before setting up Novakovic’s second goal in the win over Nuremberg, while Bayern are currently third in the league.

“Cologne is my club and my city.

“My relationship with this club is like with a woman who does not have the beauty or outward appearances, but has important inner values.”

Bayern sold Podolski back to Cologne for 10 million euros (14.3 million US dollars) in the summer and the Germany star has vowed to bring success to the west German club.

While Podolski has been quiet for both Cologne and previously Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, he has been consistent for Germany and scored six goals in the qualification campaign for the 2010 World Cup.

“The team clearly wants to improve and the team’s bosses must allow us the time which they promised me during the negotiations for my transfer,” he said.

Podolski admits he dreams of a multi-million euros transfer to Spanish giants Barcelona, but has promised he will spend at least another season at Cologne.

“We will not go down to the second division and we can also win trophies here,” he said.