Former Bayern Munich captain and right fullback, Phillipe Lahm has criticized the German Bundesliga lack of competition compared to other leagues in Europe. With Bayern Munich winning last six Bundesliga titles.
Lahm, who was Bayern captain for many years and also the German World cup winning side in 2010, now serves as an ambassador for Germany's bid to host the 2024 European Championship.
He gave an exclusive interview where  he spoke about a lot of things even Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was widely talked about.

Do you think the European Championship in 2024 can serve as a boost to German football as the 2006 World Cup did?
"It is an opportunity to develop our football like in 2006. That World Cup prompted us to act and it was the beginning of a golden era that saw us go on to be crowned as world champions in 2014."

What happened to Germany at the World Cup? Why were they eliminated in the group stage?
"It's happened to other winners like Spain in 2014 or Italy in 2010. When a champion is eliminated in the group stage there is no one reason, but many. There was a lack of team spirit."

Is your generation, that of Neuer, Kroos, Muller, Hummels and others exhausted?
"Fourteen of the 2014 squad were not in Russia, but I don't think age is the problem."

What do you think about the resignation of Mesut Ozil and the accusations of racism against the German Federation?
"The important thing is that there is team spirit, that they are all together and that the leaders can detect any problem and work so that it doesn't grow."

Do you see Low continuing as coach?
"The good results under Low for a long time speak for themselves. It has been a bad period, but he's done a great job and is the right man to make the changes that are needed."

Pep Guardiola trained you at Bayern. Is he the best coach you ever had? Has he left a mark on German football?
"Pep is a super coach! He is excellent. He is the best at analysing an opponent and the concept of a game. I don't know what impact he had on German football, but he left a mark on all of us at Bayern because of how he analysed and educated the players in each position and the way he taught us to play. We knew what everyone else was going to do in any circumstance."

Is it good for Bayern to always win the Bundesliga?
"No. It is important for the league to have competition. I am happy that Bayern win, but it would be better if somebody challenged them. In Spain, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico can win LaLiga Santander. Here, it ends in April."

In 2008, Spain won the European Championship final against Germany and you appear in the photos of Torres' goal. What do you remember of that moment?
"Nothing. I wasn't there. I don't remember [he joked]. It was a tough situation. I was on Torres' shoulder but he came forward and scored. It wasn't the first time that happened in a final either. In the European U19 Championship in 2002 we also lost."

You were Germany captain for many years. How would you have reacted in the dressing room if the coach was dismissed just before the World Cup?
"I have never been in that situation but, for the team and just before a tournament, it is difficult if a coach leaves."

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