Football
Mark Lovell, Bayern Munich blogger 7y

Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti: I wish I could coach 20 Philipp Lahms

Bayern Munich coach Carlo Ancelotti said he would like "20 Philipp Lahms" in his squad as his captain moves into the final three games of his playing career.

Lahm, 33, will retire at the end of the season, and Ancelotti described him as one of the finest players he had worked with.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of the champions' match with bottom-of-the-table Darmstadt, he said: "He never complains and has never had a problem.

"He's a great example for the others. He is the most professional player I have ever trained. If I had 20 Philipp Lahms I would have no problems."

Lahm racked up a record-equalling eighth Bundesliga title last weekend as the record German champions secured a fifth straight league title with a 6-0 win at Wolfsburg.

Ancelotti stressed that Bayern "respect his decision" to retire but added: "A manager is lucky to have a player like Philipp Lahm. We hope to find another."

Despite their comfortable Bundesliga success, Bayern's hopes of a trophy Treble were dashed by recent exits from the Champions League and the DFB Pokal.

And Ancelotti said he would talk to CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and president Uli Hoeness about strengthening for next season's challenges.

"We will speak at the end of the season, going over what happened together. Then we will speak about new players," he added.

He backed winger Kingsley Coman, who has struggled to hold down a regular place, adding: "He began the season injured and missed three months.

"He must be 100 per cent in order to perform at his best. He is a special player, and he will be really important for us in the future. I gave him his debut at 15 at PSG -- I know his quality."

Coman will miss the game on Saturday with a minor ankle problem, while Javi Martinez is also ruled out with a cold. But defender Mats Hummels "is fit and can play without any problems," Ancelotti said.

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