MANCHESTER -- Pep Guardiola has hailed Philipp Lahm as one of football's "best players ever" after the Bayern Munich defender announced he will retire at the end of the season.
Lahm, 33, was Guardiola's captain during his three years in charge of the club, which saw Bayern win three Bundesliga titles and two DFB Pokals.
The Manchester City manager described him as one of the most intelligent players he has coached and said he was instrumental in his success at the Alliaz Arena.
"Philipp was and is a special person in my life," Guardiola told a news conference.