Lahm: Bayern Munich need a football philosophy (2nd Roundup)

Nov 7, 2009, 16:20 GMT

   Munich - Bayern Munich are not among Europe's football elite because they don't have a football philosophy, their Germany defender Philipp Lahm said.

   The wing back Lahm, 25, told Saturday's edition of the Sueddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) daily that the leadership of the Bundesliga club must decide on a style and then hire players which suit it best.

   'If you want to measure yourself with Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United you as Bayern need a philosophy. That must be the aim of the club,' Lahm told the SZ.

   'Clubs like Manchester United or Barcelona have a system, and then you hire personnel that fits this system.

   'We hired Arjen Robben because he is very good and an international player. But we didn't hire him because we said: we will play 4-3-3 from now on. This doesn't happen here, that the club says we will do this (system) now and everything is built on that.'

Munich officials were not amused and threatened sanctions for Lahm, who was born in Munich and (with the exception of a loan deal to Stuttgart) has played for the club since the age of 11.

'You can be assured that he will regret this interview,' general manager Uli Hoeness told reporters after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Schalke 04.

'It was not exactly wise to do this interview before such an important match. He should have known better. We will discuss this with him (next week).'

   Club president Franz Beckenbauer told Sky television that he hadn't read the interview but that 'our transfer policy has been good and fruitful for the past 40 years.' He also said that Lahm has not played at his best recently.

Coach Louis van Gaal fielded Lahm from the start on Saturday but also said that 'we will talk to him' in what he named an internal matter.

Lahm insisted: 'I was raised at the club and Munich are dear to me, that's why I am outspoken. I think I am in a position to make these statements.'

   Coming off a midweek 2-0 home defeat against French club Girondins Bordeaux, Munich are in danger of going out in the group stage of the European Champions League they last won in 2001. The4y rank eighth in the Bundesliga, six points shy of leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who they play next.

   The summer arrival van Gaal has come under fire, but Lahm said that he was the right coach because he has clear tactical ideas, unlike Juergen Klinsmann last year.

   Lahm also said that new sports director Christian Nerlinger has the backing of the team and is capable of providing the philosophy required to do well on the international stage, even though some players meet him with 'a mixture of respect and fear.'

   'On an international level you need at least eight players who have learnt to play their position, who are confident and competitive. I don't see these eight players here. That has nothing to do with the players but with a lacking philosophy over the past years,' Lahm said.

Munich have an abundance of strikers like Mario Gomez, Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni, plus several midfielders which makes a 4-4-2 more suitable.

'If I buy a Mario Gomez I must say: ok, we will play with two forwards. And we played 4-4-2 in the whole pre-season. And then Robben sudden arrives, a great player who suits us - and who prefers a 4-3-3,' said Lahm.