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Markus Schreiber

'He could play in ten positions': Pep gives heartfelt tribute to 'exceptional' Philipp Lahm

The Catalan referred to the Bayern Munich defender as ‘one of the special people in my life’.

HE HAS BEEN monosyllabic at various points during his mixed debut season in the Premier League but Pep Guardiola changed tact a little bit during his Manchester City press conference earlier today.

Asked to give his thoughts on Philipp Lahm’s pending retirement from the game, Guardiola spoke effusively, lovingly and in-depth about a player he repeatedly praised during his three-year stint in charge of Bayern Munich.

“Philipp was and is one of the special people in my life”, the City boss said.

It’s not easy for a Catalan guy to go to Germany after they had won a treble and have to learn Deutsch and get involved in that culture. And he helped me a lot – on and off the pitch. He was one of the most fantastic players I ever trained in my life. Even talking about the most intelligent players – he is one of them. Football is going to miss one of the best players I’ve ever seen. He can play in ten positions – no problems – because he understands the game perfectly.

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“I know when I go back to Munich to see my friends, he will be there. And that is the most precious gift a trainer can have. It was a huge honour for me to be his manager. I’m a little bit sad because I think he still has football in his legs. But maybe not in his head and that’s why he’s retiring. I wish him and his beautiful wife and son the best in the future. And hopefully, as soon as possible, he can be involved in football because those guys are so necessary in football. Polite, exceptional person, exceptional player. It was a real pleasure”.

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    Mute Free Gallant
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    Jun 8th 2013, 7:27 PM

    That Todd Clever seems like an awful tool. Tough man tackling a little man boy reporter.
    Let’s see him tonight

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    Mute Shane Cal
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    Jun 8th 2013, 9:00 PM

    W@%£er

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    Mute Sean O Mara
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    Jun 9th 2013, 12:05 AM

    That was the jock Clever bullying the dweeb reporter nerd!!

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    Mute brian forde
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    Jun 8th 2013, 9:25 PM

    He is good player just ask any of the Irish backs that he broke up bod included

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    Mute Ronan Byrne
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    Jun 9th 2013, 1:24 AM

    Fair dues to the reporter, half his size and took some decent licks….

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    Mute Peter 'Nocky' Naughnane
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    Jun 9th 2013, 12:19 PM

    Todd Clever goes out to hurt people, not knock them back but to actually hurt people. He tries to injure players. Big man giving the little, inexperienced reporter a hand off to the face. What an @sshole.

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