sport news Bayern Munich: Why Robert Lewandowski wants to leave as striker eyes dream move ... trends now
Despite eight years of unparalleled success and a perfect domestic titles record, Robert Lewandowski has decided his time at Bayern Munich will not extend beyond this summer.
Mindful of limited years left at the top of the game - with his 34th birthday in August - the Polish hitman did not waver when asked about his future whilst on international duty.
'My era at Bayern is over. I don't see any possibility to continue playing for this club anymore,' he stated affirmatively on Monday. Yet after 344 goals in 374 games - including 50 in 46 this season - the lingering question is... why?
Robert Lewandowski wants to leave Bayern Munich after eight years of unparalleled success
Lewandowski announced his intentions at a press conference while on international duty
There is no singular reason but rather numerous contributing factors at play here. With a contract that expires in 2023, Lewandowski knows his next long-term deal could possibly be the final one he signs before his powers start to wane.
As such, perhaps the most obvious topic at play is this: having won all there is to win, the 33-year-old has opted for a different challenge to conclude his career.
Bayern's dominance domestically since Lewandowski joined from rivals Borussia Dortmund in 2014 has been unparalleled.
The Pole has contributed to eight of Bayern's 10 straight German titles and has been the Bundesliga's top scorer in six of those campaigns.
In addition, Lewandowski has won three German Cups, five German Super Cups and completed his club trophy set by finally winning the Champions League in 2020, behind closed doors against PSG in Lisbon.
While Bayern's supremacy has been impressive, it also points to an inequality in German football which hinders its impact on a global stage, with a struggle to capture worldwide audiences in the same way the more-competitive Premier League does.
For Lewandowski's prowess in front of goal, the competitiveness of the German top-flight has undoubtedly dwindled in recent years. Lewandowski has won all there is to win in Bavaria and pastures new - even LaLiga with Barca the likely destination - would offer a sturdier challenge week-in, week-out.
Lewandowski has won all there is to win at Bayern Munich, including eight Bundesliga titles
The Pole completed his club trophy set when he won the Champions League two years ago
Then we get to the reasons closer to home, within Lewandowski and Bayern's control.
Lewandowski was reported to be one of two senior players to be doubtful of Nagelsmann's tactics and training methods
The appointment of Julian Nagelsmann last summer - replacing treble-winner Hansi Flick - seemed an obvious move, with the young German clearly one of the most promising managerial talents in Europe.
And while Bayern have largely sauntered to another title, there have been undercurrents of discontent, not least last month when Lewandowski was reported to be one of two senior players to be doubtful of Nagelsmann's tactics and training methods.
Though this was denied by both parties, Lewandowski has appeared visibly frustrated at various points this season and was very well nullified by Villarreal during the shock exit in the Champions League quarter-finals in April.
Bayern have not displayed the assuredness and control of previous Bundesliga-winning seasons, as shown by surprise losses to the likes of VfL Bochum, Mainz and Borussia Monchengladbach, the latter a humiliating 5-0 thrashing in the German Cup.
As such, doubts have been raised about Nagelsmann's suitability for the biggest job in German football. Next season will prove crucial in that regard; not that
