Pep Guardiola on Bayern Munich legend Philipp Lahm: "He's a special person in my life"

Philipp Lahm dropped a bombshell on every football fan when he announced he'll be retiring from the sport at the end of this season, one year before the end of his Bayern Munich contract, which is when he was expected to hang up the boots. Lahm's announcement shocked Bayern and the world, and Pep Guardiola is very sad to see him leave the game.

Lahm was without a doubt Bayern's best player during Guardiola's three-year career as manager in Germany, and the two worked closely and became real friends beyond just a coach-player relationship.

During Friday's press conference at Manchester City's training ground, Guardiola had some incredible praise for Lahm:

"Philipp was and is a special person in my life. It is not easy for a Catalan guy to go to Munich and learn the culture and he helped me a lot.

"He is one of the most fantastic players I ever trained in my life. Football is going to miss one of the best players ever. He can play in 10 positions.

I know when I go back to Munich to see my friends, he will be there. That is the best gift a trainer can have.

"I am a little sad because I feel he has football in his legs. I wish his beautiful wife and son the best for the future. Exceptional person, exceptional player."

Source: ManCity.com