Shaqiri will stay at Bayern - Guardiola

Forum 9 years ago

Shaqiri will stay at Bayern - Guardiola

The winger was linked with a move to Liverpool over the summer, but his coach is keen for him to stay and says the only way he will depart is if he personally asks for a transfer

Pep Guardiola has ruled out the possibility of Xherdan Shaqiri leaving Bayern Munich in the January transfer window.

The Switzerland international, 23, was linked with a move to Premier League side Liverpool over the summer, after making just 21 appearances in all competitions for the Bavarians.

But, while Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery remain Guardiola's first choice wide players, Shaqiri has already featured 14 times this term and the Spaniard has no interest in allowing him to leave.

When asked about the future of the winger and midfielder Emile Hjojberg, the former Barca boss said: "I think they will stay. If they want something then they need to speak to Matthias Sammer."

Regarding the prospect of any arrivals, Guardiola appeared to rule out any further signings, adding: "Less players means less problems."

Bayern play their final Bundesliga game before the winter break when they take on Mainz at the Coface Arena on Saturday, but they will do so without three of their key men.

"[Mehdi] Benatia, [Xabi] Alonso and [Robert] Lewandowski won't be on board," Guardiola said. "[Sebastian] Rode is sick."

Bayern look on course to cruise to a third consecutive Bundesliga title having won 13 of their 16 league games and racked up an 11-point lead over second-placed Wolfsburg.
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But another surprise sub-plot to the league season in Germany's top flight has been the plight of Borussia Dortmund, who sit joint-second bottom of the division and Guardiola believes their struggles show that nothing can be taken for granted in his side's quest for more silverware.
"Just because we were strong in the first half of this season doesn't mean that we will be in the second half.

"It can happen that we lose one or more games. You can see it in Dortmund. Borussia is a super team with a great coach. But if it can happen to them, then it can to us.

"I don't like talking about other teams but they will have a hard time getting second place now. Leverkusen, Wolfsburg and Monchengladbach are all very strong. Dortmund have the quality to do it, though.