Pep praises Lewandowski
Berlin, Feb. 9: Forget Lionel Messi, Andrea Iniesta, Philipp Lahm or Manuel Neuer — superstar coach Pep Guardiola says Poland striker Robert Lewandowski is the most professional player he has ever worked with.
Guardiola helped develop the careers of four- time world player of the year Messi and Iniesta, whose goal won the 2010 World Cup for Spain, during his four- year reign coaching Barcelona.
Since coaching Bayern Munich in 2013, Guardiola has regularly switched Lahm, Germany’s 2014 World Cup winning captain, from left- back to midfield, dubbing him “the most intelligent player” he has worked with.
And Guardiola says Neuer is “the best” goalkeeper he has ever coached.
But it is Poland striker Lewandowski, who Guardiola says is the most dedicated to his profession. “He is the most professional player I have ever met,” said Guardiola, ahead of Bayern’s German Cup quarterfinal at second- division Bochum on Wednesday.
“In his head, he thinks about the right food, sleep and training: 24 hours a day.
“He is always there, never injured, because he focuses on these things. He always knows what is important to be in the best condition,” Guardiola added. Lewandowski has a contract at Bayern until 2019, but has been linked with a host of top clubs including Manchester City, who Guardiola will coach next season, and Real Madrid.
There has been speculation in the English media that Lewandowski will follow Guardiola next season, who has won 19 titles as coach of either Bayern or Barcelona, to Manchester City.