Manchester United’s Bastian Schweinsteiger.
AFP/Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger regrets the nature of his hasty exit from Bayern Munich and would still like the chance to say a proper farewell to the Bavarian giants.
Schweinsteiger signed a three-year deal with United in July to turn his back on Bayern after 14 years and a host of titles including eight Bundesliga-winners medals and the 2013 treble.
But the 31-year-old regrets the manner of his Munich exit as he opted out of the pre-season presentation at the Allianz Arena on July 11, because he already knew he was off to Manchester.
“I would like to say goodbye properly,” Schweinsteiger told German weekly Die Zeit in an interview to appear today.
“There was the season’s opening ceremony at the stadium, but I didn’t want to stand there in the Bayern jersey, waving to the fans, then a few hours later say: ‘That was nice, but I’m off to England.’
“Because I have a good relationship with the Bayern fans, that’s why I left it the way I did.
“But perhaps a day will come when I’ll return to the stadium.”
Schweinsteiger has had a mixed start to his United career.
He started in Manchester’s 2-1 away defeat to Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday as Louis van Gaal’s side kicked off their Champions League campaign.
The Germany captain says he has ‘not for one second’ considered retiring from international football.
Having helped inspire Die Mannschaft to the 2014 World Cup title he wants more glory at Euro 2016 in France.
“I still want to fulfil my dream of being European champion,” he added with Germany poised to qualify having topped their group with wins earlier this month over Poland and Scotland.
After more than a decade as a professional football, Schweinsteiger says he feels ‘very good’ and had no desire to follow ex-Bayern teammate Philipp Lahm into retiring from the international stage.
Schweinsteiger switched to United for a fresh challenge.
“I felt within myself that I needed to change what I was doing,” he added.
“I needed a new stimuli.
“So the interest from Manchester United was a perfect fit.”
After winning the Bundesliga eight times and the German Cup on seven occasions, the defensive midfielder needed new horizons to conquer.
“I have won the most national titles as a German, so what should I do after that? Lay back and take it easy? That’s not how I am.”
