The retiring Bayern stars should be proud of their exceptional careers, according to Manchester City manager
Pep Guardiola hopes Philipp Lahm and Xabi Alonso remain in football after bringing down the curtain on their glittering playing careers with Bayern Munich this weekend.
Lahm and Alonso will play professionally for the final time when the Bundesliga champions host Freiburg.
Guardiola led Lahm for three seasons between 2013 and 2016 and brought Alonso to Bavaria from Real Madrid at the end of his first season in charge.
Speaking ahead of Manchester City's final match of the Premier League season at Watford, Guardiola hailed two men he views as "exceptional in all terms", while he has no doubt Alonso – a 2010 World Cup winner with Spain – will follow him into the dugout.