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Robben explains leaving Real, relished spell with Guardiola


Bangladeshpost
Published : 24 May 2019 07:39 PM | Updated : 05 Sep 2020 06:52 AM

Arjen Robben says politics at Real Madrid, and not just Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival, forced him to suffer a "difficult" exit from the club, but added his subsequent move to Bayern Munich was the best decision of his career, Goal reports. 

"It became difficult for me because of the change of president at Real," Robben claimed."I actually felt very comfortable there and played very well, but when politics come into play and you do not get a real chance, you have to make a decision whether you want to keep fighting or to go and continue your career elsewhere.

"It was not just Ronaldo. Perez returned as the club's president. He then bought Ronaldo, but also Kaka, [Karim] Benzema and Xabi Alonso. Real spent so much money and we were told that they needed to make a bit of money back on outgoing transfers. For me it was a shame, because I had a very good relationship with the former coach Manuel Pellegrini. In addition, I had perhaps the best pre-season of my career."

"I talked to Mark and to Van Gaal," Robben said. "He told me how had he plans for me. Both clearly signalled to me: 'Come to Munich, please'. I remember the decision was not easy. We sat together as a family on the terrace and talked. After all, it was about leaving a big club like Real Madrid. There was no turning back then. By comparison, Bayern was not so successful in Europe at the time. My goal had always been to win the Champions League. I wanted to show that I was good enough. The move to Bayern was the best decision of my career."

Arjen Robben considers Pep Guardiola to be “tactically brilliant”, with Manchester City’s treble-winning coach having shown during a spell at Bayern Munich that he is “football crazy in a positive way”.

The veteran Dutch winger, who is bidding farewell to Bayern this summer, told Goal and SPOX of the qualities that make Guardiola special: “He is tactically brilliant.

“I had a lot of fun under him and continued to develop myself. Also, because he has used me in different positions. “Pep has established a very special style of play here. He is football crazy in a positive way.”

He added, “We were unlucky with injuries. You will never know what would have happened if everyone had been fit. Back then we were so strong that there was certainly more possible. I am really sorry that it did not work. Some say Pep was not successful in Munich because he did not win the Champions League. I do not represent this opinion. Under Pep we played wonderful football and were three times in the Champions League semi-final. I know that coaches are also judged on titles, but I’m someone who looks outside the box. Football is not always fair.”

”No. If you play permanently at such a high level, you are spoiled,” he said.

“If it does not work then, as this season against Liverpool [in the last 16], that is unusual. But our opponent has marched through to the final. That says everything.

 “The club will continue to develop next season. New players are coming, some veterans will go.”