Phillip Lahm May Reconsider Plans to Retire in 2018

​Bayern Munich captain Phillip Lahm has revealed that me may reconsider an earlier decision to retire from football when his current contract expires in 2018.

"I can't exclude that I will say in 2018: 'I am feeling well, I am fit, I want to play one more year.' That may be possible," Lahm explained to media. 

When he signed a new deal in June , Germany's World Cup winning captain, who retired from international duty immediately after the victorious tournament last summer, had said he thought it would be his last in professional football.

However, ever the down to earth and humble individual, Lahm knows it may not be necessarily be as straightforward as a decision just to keep playing.

FC Bayern Muenchen - Training Session

"At the same time, I know that I will be 34-years-old and we're not talking about some random club, but FC Bayern," he pointed out.

"It is a club which wants to be the best in all competitions. To be able to still perform strong permanently under these circumstances won't be easy."

Bayern Patient Over New Pep Deal as Lahm Steps Up His Recovery

Bayern Munich are keen to extend Pep Guardiola's stay as manager beyond his current deal, but admit they will not pressure the Spaniard into signing.

Guardiola, who is tied to the German champions until 2016, said late last year that he had no plans to sign a new deal at that stage.

Reports had claimed that Bayern were bracing themselves for the former Barcelona boss's departure but CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says the club will approach the matter with patience.

Speaking to a Catalan newspaper, ​Rummenigge revealed he had told Guardiola: "We will not bother you about extending the contract in the upcoming months.

"We will not do anything until the summer, and then we maybe talk in the second half of 2015."​

Guardiola has shown a preference for short-term deals in the past and Rummenigge added: "He can stay as long as he wants.

"Pep is not someone who needs security. He does not a five-year contract to know just how much money he earns at Bayern. That's not Pep Guardiola.

"Pep Guardiola lives for the present, and I accept that."

Meanwhile, Bayern captain Philipp Lahm says his recovery from an ankle injury is progressing as scheduled.

FC Bayern Muenchen - Training Session

The World Cup winner was sidelined for three months after picking up the injury during a training session in November and underwent surgery, which left him on crutches.

But following a course of intensive physiotherapy Lahm no longer needs the crutches and is currently using an exercise bike as he returns to full fitness.

​The 31-year-old told Bayern's official website:"It's all going to plan. I'm going really well.

"It feels great to be rid of the crutches and in a position to go for it again."

The versatile full-back is set to see a specialist in order to build up his stamina ahead of the Bundesliga's return to action later this month.

Lahm and Neuer resume training in Säbener Strasse

Winter is slowly but surely drawing in at the Säbener Strasse facility. Manuel Neuer and Philipp Lahm, who returned from Germany international duty on Sunday and completed individual workouts yesterday, were no exception in their choice of kit when they rejoined their club colleagues.

When the Germans face England in a prestige friendly on Tuesday night, Neuer and Lahm will be watching on TV. “It was all arranged with the national coach,” said Lahm. “Obviously it’s always good to play at Wembley because we have great memories of the stadium.” Nevertheless, the versatile defender said he was “glad to have a couple of days at home.” And, added Lahm, the regeneration training of the last couple of days has done “a great deal of good.”

Lahm and Neuer Return to Munich

Philipp Lahm and Manuel Neuer have returned early from international duty. On Saturday, the day after Germany’s 1–1 draw with Italy in Milan, the Bayern pair returned to Munich while the rest of the German squad travelled on to England prior to Tuesday’s friendly at Wembley. “The game against England is our last opportunity to try out a few tactical and line-up variations before the World Cup,” commented national coach Joachim Löw, explaining why he was declining to field his captain and first-choice goalkeeper in London. “The important thing at the moment is for me to try out other players in key positions and give them a decent chance against a great team like England.“

Reaction to Viktoria Plzen v Bayern

Pep Guardiola: “We knew it wouldn’t be possible for the game to go as well as it did in Munich. All matches in the Champions League are dangerous. Plzen are a very, very good team. And if you lose 5-0 like Plzen did, you’re even more focused in the next match because you’re determined to do better. We spoke about all this beforehand. We played very well in the second half and created plenty of chances. I’m very, very happy we’ve equalled this record, and I hope we can extend it in Moscow. I’m grateful to Jupp. He’s made a bigger contribution to the record than I have.“

Philipp Lahm: “As quickly as possible, we have to make sure we don’t sleep through the early stages like we’ve been doing recently. We keep letting our opponents believe they can take something from the match. We beat Plzen 5-0 at the Allianz Arena, so it’s possible we were a bit more relaxed about tonight’s match, but we can’t be letting that happen! This is the Champions League! That aside, we can be pleased because we have a perfect record of 12 points from four matches.“

Six Bayern Stars Nominated for the World Player of the Year

The footballing world has paid a huge compliment to Bayern and six of their stars with the nomination of Philipp Lahm, Thomas Müller, Manuel Neuer, Franck Ribéry, Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger for the World Player of the Year award. The longlist of 23 candidates announced by FIFA on Tuesday includes half-a-dozen of the key figures from last season’s treble winners. The supremo who masterminded the historic campaign, Jupp Heynckes, is on the shortlist for Coach of the Year 2013.

Among the players, the shortlist of three will be announced in early December. The final vote is taken among the captains and coaches of the world’s men’s international teams, and a panel of international media representatives selected by leading magazine France Football. The winner of the vote will be announced on 13 January 2014 at the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala in Zurich Kongresshaus.

The last German player to win the prestigious award was Lothar Matthäus in 1991. Argentina and Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has topped the vote for the last four years in a row. Bayern’s Franck Ribéry could be poised to interrupt that streak, as he was named UEFA Best Player in Europe in August ahead of Messi and rates as one of the top favourites for the World Player vote.

Six Bayern stars were initially nominated for the award in 2012, but only Manuel Neuer made it into the final 23.

World Player 2013 long list of 23:

Gareth Bale (Wales)
Edinson Cavani (Uruguay)
Radamel Falcao (Colombia)
Eden Hazard (Belgium)
Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden)
Andrés Iniesta (Spain)
Philipp Lahm (Germany)
Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Thomas Müller (Germany)
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Neymar (Brazil)
Mesut Özil (Germany)
Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
Franck Ribéry (France)
Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)
Luis Suárez (Uruguay)
Thiago Silva (Brazil)
Yaya Touré (Cote d’Ivoire)
Robin Van Persie (Netherlands)
Xavi (Spain)

Quotes from Franz Beckenbauer

Look at his (Philipp’s) outstanding performances at the moment in central defensive midfield for Bayern. And there’s his consistency too. I can’t think of a single other player who’s been as consistently good at the highest level over a period of years. Not a single one!

- Franz Beckenbauer