Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski admits regret over early Bayern Munich exit
Podolski admits he should have stuck it out with Bayern instead of moving to Cologne in 2009 and feels he could have broken into the first team under Jupp Heynckes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has acknowledged he made a mistake in returning to hometown club Cologne in 2009 from Bayern Munich.
The Germany international struggled to make the breakthrough in Munich following a transfer from Cologne in 2006.
However, he feels he rushed into a return home and that he should have stuck it out longer in Bavaria, and perhaps he would have broken into the first team under Jupp Heynckes.
"I believe that if Jupp Heynckes had arrived one or two weeks earlier in 2009, I would probably still be at Bayern now," he told Germany's Sport Bild magazine.
"He was desperate to keep me. From a purely sporting perspective, returning to Cologne was certainly not very helpful."
Despite scoring 18 goals in the 2011/12 season, Podolski was unable to prevent Cologne being relegated to the second tier and he subsequently joined the Gunners.
There was talk of him returning to Germany last month, with Schalke tipped as a potential destination, but Podolski says those rumours were unfounded.
"That was a myth. There was absolutely no truth to it," the 28-year-old said. "The coach told me as such, and I knew there was no truth in it."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments