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- Shaqiri opens up on Bayern departure
- Says he has no regrets about the decision
- Aimed a potential jibe at Guardiola
Shaqiri has reflected on his departure from Bayern Munich in 2015 with no regrets, pointing to his Champions League triumph with Liverpool as proof that he made the right move. The former Swiss international, who found it difficult to secure regular playing time under Guardiola in Bavaria, suggested that his later success in Europe justified his departure — a comment that also served as a subtle swipe at the Manchester City boss.
Guardiola was appointed Bayern’s head coach in the summer of 2013, one year after Shaqiri had joined the club. In his first season (2013-14) under the ex-Barcelona manager, Shaqiri struggled to remain fit and could only make 27 appearances in all competitions. However, in the following season, things turned from bad to worse for the Swiss winger, who remained an unused substitute in seven of the first 16 الدوري الألماني games. Lack of playing time prompted him to secure a winter transfer move to the الدوري الإيطالي at Inter. He then joined Stoke City six months later, before being snapped up by Liverpool in 2018, where he won the Champions League in his debut season.
In an interview with ran Shaqiri was asked, “You had a difficult time under Pep Guardiola and finally left the club in 2015. Was that the right decision?”
Shaqiri replied: “Yes, it was the right decision. I don’t look back and regret any of my moves. I made every decision in my career with 100 per cent conviction, and I think it worked out very well for me. For example, after my time at Bayern, I won the Champions League again with Liverpool, so it didn’t go too badly. I was able to benefit from every stage of my career and take something important with me.”
After his brief stints at Lyon in الدوري الفرنسي 1 and Chicago Fire in the MLS, Shaqiri returned to his boyhood club Basel in 2024. He is tied to the club until 2027, and although he will turn 34 in October, he has no plans to slow down just yet.
“At Basel, we demonstrated last season how ambitious and hungry we are for titles. I feel the same way personally: I didn’t come back here to end my career, but to be as successful as possible with my hometown club and to win every title we have a chance of,” he said in the same interview. “And, of course, the big goal is to finally play in the Champions League again with Basel. I’m focused on that now – and that’s why retiring isn’t an issue yet.”
