Germany’s Captain Philipp Lahm retires from International Football

Germany captain Philipp Lahm has retired from international football after leading his side to victory at the World Cup in Brazil.
The 30-year-old Bayern Munich defender, who can also play in midfield, played 113 times for Germany.

His retirement from the national side was confirmed by the German FA (DFB).
“I am happy and grateful that the end of my career with the national team coincides with winning the World Cup in Brazil,” he said in an open letter on the DFB website.

Lahm’s international career started in February 2004 with a 2-1 defeat of Croatia and ended with the 1-0 win over Argentina in the World Cup final on Sunday.
DFB president Wolfgang Niersbach said: “Philipp called me this morning and personally informed me of this step. I very quickly realised that it was pointless trying to persuade him to reconsider his decision.
“He was not just a superb player for 10 years in the national team, but also a complete role model. I thanked him for everything that he’s done for the DFB.”
Lahm now plans to focus on the club side that he joined aged 11 and has been captain of since 2011.
“There is hardly a better farewell than to be a world champion at the peak of your career,” Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said.
“But for the national team, it will not be easy to replace Lahm as a player, captain and a man.”

Toni Kroos completes $41 Million move to Real Madrid from Bayern Munich !

Toni Kroos has completed his £24million move to Real Madrid from Bayern Munich.

The German champions announced on Thursday morning that an agreement had been reached between the clubs and he would make an immediate transfer.

Kroos’ contract was due to expire next summer and the World Cup winner has penned a six-year deal at the Bernabeu.

That year they also clinched the Champions League, before winning the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup last season.

In total, Kroos made 173 Bundesliga appearances, scoring 23 goals, 13 for Bayern and 10 during an 18-month loan spell at Bayer Leverkusen.

The midfielder was an ever-present for Germany at the World Cup, lifting the trophy in Rio de Janeiro last Sunday.

He joins compatriot Sami Khedira in Madrid and will be presented to the media later on Thursday after undergoing a medical.

Pep Guardiola confirmed as Bayern Munich coach on three-year deal!

Bayern Munich have announced that Pep Guardiola will become the club’s new coach when Jupp Heynckes’ contract expires this summer.

Bayern revealed that Heynckes, 67, will stay on in his post until the end of this season before retiring, at which point the former Barcelona coach will take over on a deal that runs until June 2016.

The news comes 24 hours after Bayern’s media director Markus Horwick described claims that the club had approached Guardiola to take over as “complete rubbish”, and Guardiola himself said he hoped to manage in the Premier League, with Manchester City and Chelsea among those interested in hiring him.

Bayern, though, revealed that the move had been in the pipeline since at least before Christmas, when Heynckes informed the club he would not be seeking a contract extension.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Bayern’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted that we have managed to get Pep Guardiola whom several big clubs wanted and contacted. He is one of the most successful trainers in the world and we are sure that not only Bayern Munich but the whole of German football will benefit from what he brings.”

Rummenigge backed Heynckes to oversee a strong end to the season, having guided Bayern to a nine-point lead in the standings ahead of the Bundesliga’s resumption following the winter break this weekend.

“As a club and as Jupp Heynckes’ friends we have to show understanding for this decision. We have to accept it and we have to respect it,” Rummenigge added. “During personal talks with Jupp we assured each other that we will do anything we can, and now even more, to have a successful second half of the season.”

Heynckes, in his third spell at Bayern after returning to the club in June 2011, guided the club to the Champions League final in May, where they lost to Chelsea on penalties.

Bayern’s chairman Uli Hoeness added: “Only someone of the calibre of Pep Guardiola was an adequate replacement for Jupp Heynckes.”

Guardiola, 41, replaced Frank Rijkaard at Barca in 2008 and during his four years at Camp Nou led the club to 13 trophies, making him the most successful coach in the club’s history.

“The signing of Guardiola shows the value of Bayern who want to be on par with the likes of Real Madrid or Manchester United,” said Bayern’s honorary president Franz Beckenbauer.