Bundesliga news
Robert Lewandowski has told Sport Bild he was “disappointed and angry” that he was denied a move to Bayern Munich this summer but is now focused on helping Borussia Dortmund to every trophy available in his final season with the club.
GettyImagesRobert Lewandowski accepted that all parties had made mistakes in the dispute over his failed move to Bayern.
Lewandowski, 25, had been expected to move to the Allianz Arena after the Champions League final, when outgoing coach Jupp Heynckes indicated a move was close, but Dortmund — having already lost Mario Gotze to Bayern — refused to sell to their rivals.
Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp said in July that Lewandowski would almost certainly be joining the European champions when his contract expires next summer, but the Poland international hinted at some lingering discontent when he revealed he had a “problem” with certain people at the club.
It was confirmed at the weekend that Lewandowski — who has been remarkably quiet this summer, at least in the German media — had been handed a pay-rise for his final season at the Westfalenstadion. The striker, acknowledging that everyone made mistakes during the saga, has now confirmed he considers the matter “settled”.
“My point of view was that I thought I could make the switch in the summer,” he said. “In the summer, I was disappointed and angry. Everything is settled now. I have always said that I respect my contract.”
He added: “It was the club’s decision that I stay, and I will not commit a breach of contract. The public often perceived it differently — as if I would demand anything that would infringe a contract. No! Facts were twisted and turned against me and my agents.”
Der Spiegel reported late last week that Lewandowski will earn up to €4.5 million during his final year with Dortmund after agreeing the new terms, but the player said: “That’s a matter between the club and me, and of no concern to anyone else.”
Prior to agreeing the new deal, Lewandowski had been quoted as saying that the dispute over his future could cause his form to dip.
“I have learnt one thing: A lot of forces have impacted on the club and me as a player over this issue,” he said. “In this case, my statements were twisted and intentionally turned against me. I have never threatened [the club with] a drop in form.”
Lewandowski, who has scored 55 goals in 100 Bundesliga games for Dortmund, said he was determined to be successful in his final year with the club.
“I’m currently only thinking about the new season and my goals,” he said. “It is right that, in due time, I will announce my decision in the new year. It will be my last season in Dortmund.”
He added that, after finishing runners-up to Bayern in the Bundesliga and Champions League last season, he hopes to see Dortmund build on last month’s 4-2 victory over Pep Guardiola’s men in the Super Cup and win some major trophies this time around.
“We did well last season. Now we want to top that. BVB are ready to go out for every title, although we know that every team would love to beat us even more and it will get more difficult. We are also the chased ones. With the Super Cup we have already won a minor title against Bayern, but we want more. We will chase Bayern.”
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